British MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa continues impressive Donington form

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa continued his impressive form at the British MotoGP this morning, the Spaniard topping the timesheets in the second practice session.

Pedrosa, who won at Donington in 2006, posted a best time of 1.28.787 to edge out compatriot Jorge Lorenzo by just 0.170s.

His best lap came on his penultimate lap as Pedrosa continues to use a new RC212V engine spec that he raced for the first time in Germany last weekend.

Designed for improved traction under acceleration out of slower corners, the new V4 is proving to be big improvement at the tight and twisty Donington Park circuit.

Pedrosa also topped the timesheets in yesterday’s rain-hit practice and he again beat Lorenzo, Ducati’s Casey Stoner and reigning world champion Valentino Rossi in brighter but cool conditions this morning.

Fiat Yamaha rider Lorenzo had to settle for second place after he led the way for most of the second half of the session following Rossi’s early domination. The Spaniard clocked a best time of 1.28.957, which beat Stoner in third place by 0.139s.

Stoner made a disastrous start to the session when he crashed out on his out lap at the Melbourne Loop.

He seemed baffled to have lost the front at such slow speed but recovered from that early setback to clock a best time of 1.29.096 that was 0.309s off Pedrosa’s best.

Five-times Donington MotoGP winner Rossi was fourth with a best time of 1.29.164.

Rossi was dominant earlier in the session and led the field for nearly 0.8s but he ended 0.377s away from Pedrosa’s best speed.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 rider Colin Edwards, bidding for a third podium at Donington Park, claimed fifth position with a best time of 1.29.641.

The gulf between the top four riders though was evident again this morning as Edwards was a massive 0.854s off top spot.

The Texan has been experimenting with different riding positions this weekend in a bid to solve some of the front-end handling issues that have dogged him at recent races.

British rider James Toseland had a tough morning, the 28-year-old languishing down in 13th position with a best time of 1.30.638.

That left the double World Superbike champion 1.851s off the top spot. It was a disastrous morning though for Suzuki’s factory team with both Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen both over two seconds off the pace.

veteran Capirossi was only 14th and Aussie Vermeulen was one place back in 15th.

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