Melandri tops first day

Marco Melandri set the fastest lap time of the first day at Catalunya on Friday afternoon with a 1:43.317 lap. Colin Edwards was fastest after the morning session, yet was knocked back to 3rd place by the end of the day.

There was a surprising performance from Makoto Tamada, proving he was back on form, posting the 2nd fastest time of the day. After a seven-week break from the sport he showed that he aimed to return with a vengeance and pick up much needed points this weekend.

The fastest rider of the first session Colin Edwards persistently put in good times throughout the day, to finish just in front of Repsol Honda rider and fellow American Nicky Hayden.

Valentino Rossi was unable to improve upon his times from the opening session, with the temperatures rising; he managed a disappointing 5th. Ducati rider Loris Capirossi managed to stay in the 1:43’s by the end of the day, with teammate Carlos Checa hanging on to 14th.

After a particularly poor start to the season, Sete Gibernau still spears to be out of form clinching just 11th today, after setting the circuit’s record lap a year ago. Max Biaggi put in strong times throughout the day, being just under a second behind the leader at the end of the session.

MotoGP free practice two times:

1. Marco Melandri – 1:43.317

2. Makoto Tamada – 1:43.408

3. Colin Edwards – 1:43.467

4. Nicky Hayden – 1:43.638

5. Loris Capirossi – 1:43.885

6. Valentino Rossi – 1:44.030

7. Max Biaggi – 1:44.145

8. Troy Bayliss – 1:44.430

9. John Hopkins – 1:44.444

10. Alex Barros – 1:44.490