Edwards tops 1st session

Colin Edwards has topped the first practice session for the French GP at an overcast Le Mans circuit.

The track was barely dry and riders struggled to get anywhere near lap record pace. Edwards took the top spot with a best lap of 1:34.70 followed by Sete Gibernau and Alex Barros.

Valentino Rossi took the fourth fastest lap with Carlos Checa and Shinya Nakano close behind.

Max Biaggi, Kenny Roberts, Nicky Hayden, and John Hopkins finished the top ten.

Shane Byrne finished in 19th on the KTM followed by fellow Brit James Ellison in 20th still on last years WCM.

Makoto Tamada tried to make a return from injury for the Konica Minolta Honda team but did seven laps and came back in, provoking suspicions that he is still not fit enough to ride.

Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh, who replaced Tamada in Shanghai, is at the circuit and is ready to replace Tamada again if the Japanese rider isn’t up to it.

Check back at 2pm this afternoon for full results from the second Le Mans practice session and throughout the weekend for full results from the French GP.