Stoner tops first practice at Donington
Casey Stoner followed up on his claims that Ducati have made a bit step forward with their Desmosedici GP8 by dominating the first practice session at Donington Park this morning
The Australian was at the top of the timesheet throughout the hour and was never less than six tenths of a second clear of his nearest opposition for the duration of the session.
Colin Edwards looked to have second place in the bag until Alex de Angelis pipped him by a tenth of a second with his final lap of the session on his Honda. Edwards was still the only Yamaha in the top six in third.
Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden finished the session fourth and fifth on their Hondas, ahead of Chris Vermeulen on the first Suzuki.
James Toseland was the next Yamaha in seventh on home soil, ahead of championship leader Valentino Rossi, who could only manage the eighth quickest time, a full second slower than Stoner.
Rossi's Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo struggled on his return to action, down in 14th place, while Dani Pedrosa was only 12th on his Repsol Honda.
Ben Spies, who is deputising for the injured Loris Capirossi, finished first practice in 18th place on his Suzuki.
Pos Rider Team Time Laps 1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:28.979 26 2. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:29.527 + 0.548 28 3. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1:29.661 + 0.682 25 4. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1:29.718 + 0.739 30 5. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1:29.723 + 0.744 30 6. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:29.787 + 0.808 26 7. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1:29.878 + 0.899 27 8. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:29.917 + 0.938 28 9. Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:30.144 + 1.165 31 10. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 1:30.220 + 1.241 26 11. John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Team 1:30.282 + 1.303 27 12. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:30.309 + 1.330 30 13. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team 1:30.452 + 1.473 28 14. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:30.690 + 1.711 28 15. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team 1:30.906 + 1.927 24 16. Toni Elias Alice Team 1:31.103 + 2.124 23 17. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team 1:31.578 + 2.599 25 18. Ben Spies Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:31.807 + 2.828 30
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