Dani Pedrosa went fastest in both of today's free practice sessions at the UK's Donington Park circuit. The Spanish rider's best lap, a 1'28.970, just beat Suzuki's John Hopkins on the timesheets but overall there was less than a second between the top 10 riders, demonstrating just how competitive MotoGP has become.
Part of the weekend's story will still be influenced by the crash at Catalunya 3 weeks ago as well as the recent crashes from Rossi and Toni Elias. Loris Capirossi put in some good times in the first session of the day, but opted to have the afternoon to rest as he's still suffering with a very sore chest. Marco Melandri and Valentino Rossi both look to be coping rather better with their injuries, whilst Toni Elias will miss the race weekend following his off in Assen. World Superbike rider Michele Fabrizio will be standing in for Elias on the Fortuna Honda.
Free Practice 2 Results
1) Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1'28.970
2) John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'29.025
3) Casey Stoner Honda LCR 1'29.064
4) Marco Melandri Fortuna Honda 1'29.196
5) Shinya Nakano Kawasaki Racing Team 1'29.275
6) Colin Edwards Camel Yamaha Team 1'29.379
7) Valentino Rossi Camel Yamaha Team 1'29.416
8) Kenny Roberts Team Roberts 1'29.544
9) Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1'29.557
10) Makoto Tamada Konica Minolta Honda 1'29.806
11) Carlos Checa Tech 3 Yamaha 1'29.842
12) Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'29.941
13) Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team 1'30.342
14) Alex Hofmann Ducati Marlboro Team 1'30.387
15) Michel Fabrizio Fortuna Honda 1'30.762
16) James Ellison Tech 3 Yamaha 1'31.306
17) Ivan Silva Pramac d'AntÃn MotoGP 1'32.524
18) Jose Luis Cardoso Pramac d'AntÃn MotoGP 1'32.576
19) Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team No Time
Free Practice 1 Results
1) Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1'29.412
2) Casey Stoner Honda LCR 1'29.437
3) Marco Melandri Fortuna Honda 1'29.480
4) Colin Edwards Camel Yamaha Team 1'29.577
5) John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'29.594
6) Shinya Nakano Kawasaki Racing Team 1'29.657
7) Kenny Roberts Jr Team Roberts 1'29.786
8) Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team 1'29.798
9) Valentino Rossi Camel Yamaha Team 1'29.980
10) Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1'30.399
11) Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team 1'30.453
12) Makoto Tamada Konica Minolta Honda 1'30.461
13) Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'30.799
14) Carlos Checa Tech 3 Yamaha 1'30.858
15) Alex Hofmann Ducati Marlboro Team 1'31.503
16) Michel Fabrizio Fortuna Honda 1'32.253
17) James Ellison Tech 3 Yamaha 1'32.445
18) Jose Luis Cardoso Pramac d'AntÃn MotoGP 1'34.091
19) Ivan Silva Pramac d'AntÃn MotoGP 1'34.334
Source:
http://www.motoreview.net