Jerez MotoGP: Stoner on top in FP1

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner set the fastest time during the first free practice session at Jerez today, continuing the dominating form he showed at the opening round in Qatar.

Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa posted the second fastest time, while fellow team-mate Andrea Dovizioso posted the sixth fastest time before a big crash on his final lap. Dovizioso was able to walk away unhurt.

Ducati rider Valentino Rossi got off to a positive start at the Spanish circuit, setting the third fastest time, half a second behind Stoner.

Italian rider Marco Simoncelli and world champion Jorge Lorenzo complete the top five.

British rider Cal Crutchlow ended the session in 14th place, ahead of Toni Elias, Loris Capirossi and John Hopkins, who replaces the injured Alvaro Bautista on the lone Suzuki machine. 

1. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda Team 1m 39.551s
2. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 1m 39.579s
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 40.077s
4. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 40.176s
5. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 40.420s
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1m 40.429s
7. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 40.887s
8. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 41.063s
9. Randy de Puniet FRA Pramac Racing Team 1m 41.064s
10. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 41.233s
11. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1m 41.398s
12. Hector Barbera ESP Mapfre Aspar Team 1m 41.601s
13. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 41.816s
14. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 41.949s
15. Toni Elias ESP LCR Honda MotoGP 1m 42.157s
16. Loris Capirossi ITA Pramac Racing Team 1m 42.313s
17. John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 42.538s