Spanish MotoGP: Casey Stoner fastest in rain-hit free practice

Casey Stoner was fastest in the MotoGP free practive at Catalunya with a time of 1:43:013 after rain fell with 15 minutes of the session remaining.

Second fastest was ex-World champion Nicky Hayden. Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards secured the third fastest time. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who set the fastest time yesterday could only record the eighth fastest time in the rain.

Cuurrent championship leader Valentino Rossi, who scored pole a Mugello set the fourth fastest time at 1:43:253.

Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen and British rider James Toseland rounded out the top six – all within a second of Casey Stoners.

Alex de Angelis only managed to record the 13th fastest time on the San Carlo Gresini Honda.

1  C. STONER  AUS  Ducati Marlboro Team  1’43.013
2  N. HAYDEN  USA  Repsol Honda Team  + 0.112
3  C. EDWARDS  USA  Tech 3 Yamaha  + 0.230
4  V. ROSSI  ITA  Fiat Yamaha Team  + 0.240
5  C. VERMEULEN  AUS  Rizla Suzuki MotoGP  + 0.248
6  J. TOSELAND  GBR  Tech 3 Yamaha  + 0.281
7  R. DE PUNIET  FRA  LCR Honda MotoGP  + 0.343
8  D. PEDROSA  SPA  Repsol Honda Team  + 0.362
9  A. DOVIZIOSO  ITA  JiR Team Scot MotoGP  + 0.695
10  L. CAPIROSSI  ITA  Rizla Suzuki MotoGP  + 0.934
11  J. HOPKINS  USA  Kawasaki Racing Team  + 1.018
12  S. GUINTOLI  FRA  Alice Team  + 1.081
13  A. DE ANGELIS  RSM  San Carlo Honda Gresini  + 1.113
14  S. NAKANO  JPN  San Carlo Honda Gresini  + 1.545
15  M. MELANDRI  ITA  Ducati Marlboro Team  + 1.578
16  T. ELIAS  SPA  Alice Team  + 1.949
17  A. WEST  AUS  Kawasaki Racing Team  + 2.28