2010 Grand Prix motorcycle racing

[Travis]

Nasty accident - the official commentary team (Nick Harris and Gavin Emmett) said during the MotoGP race that Morales was bruised but didn't suffer any significant injuries.

From the Autosport.com website: "An initial message from race officials indicated that Morales was: "deemed to be okay by the medical centre, but remaining under observation."" - great news however the Spaniard wasn't classified as finishing the race as the rules dictate the rider must be mounted on his bike when crossing the finishing line!

MotoGP race was a little dull. I would have loved to have seen Dani's first couple of laps plowing through the field instead of focusing on Lorenzo after running wide at turn one. Fair play to Jorge though, he has been a class above everyone execpt his team mate (who he was beating in the championship) and continues on his winning path.

Cheers.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Honda confirm Casey Stoner signing

By Matthew Birt -MCN
MotoGP
09 July 2010 10:48

The 2011 MotoGP world championship line-up is starting to take shape with Honda officially announcing the signing of Casey Stoner today.
Shortly after Ducati confirmed the 2007 world champion was quitting at the end of the current campaign, HRC announced that it had captured the signature of Stoner.

Stoner’s deal with the Japanese factory halts endless speculation about the 24-year-old’s move to ride a factory RC212V next season.
Ever since his father and manager Colin Stoner met Ducati and HRC bosses at the second race in Jerez, it has been rumoured that Stoner was on his way to Honda.

HRC was desperate to sign the former LCR Honda rider as it tries to win back the premier class world title it last won in 2006.
Honda’s short statement confirming the signing of Stoner did not include details of the team he will ride for in 2011. Honda is still locked in negotiations over a possible three-rider factory line-up featuring Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso.

HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto said:
"We are very pleased that Casey will join Honda again next year. Clearly he is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he will bring valuable speed and experience to our team.
"In the factory Honda squad we already have two very strong and experienced riders in Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso who are performing very well and currently hold second and third positions in the 2010 World Championship. HRC hopes also to retain these two riders for next year - giving us what would be a truly formidable line-up."

Stoner's switch to Honda was eased by new HRC manager Livio Suppo.
He was the man who signed Stoner for Ducati at the end of 2006, and despite rumours of a big rift last season when Stoner took an illness sabbatical, Suppo has been influential in luring the former 250GP world championship runner-up to ride an RC212V next year.

 

[Ross Balfour]

Hmm, Can't imagine Casey in black and orange, wonder how he will do. I think this has opened the door for Rossi to join Ducati now, and possibly Spies will go to Fiat Yamaha to replace him.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Yes i hope Rossi will go to Ducati now as well and beat the hell out of the rest

 

[Jay Adgie]

First pictures: Valentino Rossi starts Brno test

By Matthew Birt -mcn
MotoGP
12 July 2010 15:59

Valentino Rossi has started testing a factory Yamaha R1 World Superbike champion to check whether he’s fit enough to return to MotoGP action in Germany this weekend.
The 31-year-old will decide whether he can return ahead of schedule from the broken right leg he suffered in Mugello at the end of this afternoon’s session at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic.

It is the second test in a week for Rossi as he desperately tries to return to MotoGP action having missed the Mugello, Silverstone, Assen and Catalunya races with the broken tibia bone.
If Rossi declares himself fit enough to compete in this weekend’s Sachsenring race in Germany, he will start Friday’s practice just 41 days after suffering a compound break of his right leg.

He rode a World Superbike spec R1 in Misano last week just 32 days after his horrific high-side in Mugello and a return in Germany would be way ahead of schedule.
Rossi's original intention was to return to action in Brno on August 15, but such has been his rapid recovery that he is keen to return in Germany for round eight of the 2010 MotoGP world championship.


He done about 46 laps/best lap time in 1.59.135, Cal Crutchlow had the fastest lap in race one at about 1'59.9. That's just amazing how Rossi can go so fast while still recovering from his injuries......

 

[Nigel Atkins]

that is amazing how he can do such a fast time even when not 100% fit

 

[Dave Stephenson]

machine...

 

[Jay Adgie]

Valentino Rossi shines on Sachsenring return


By Matthew Birt -mcn
MotoGP
16 July 2010 14:13

Valentino Rossi produced a remarkable comeback to MotoGP this afternoon after the reigning world champion ended opening practice at the Sachsenring in seventh position.
Back on his factory Yamaha YZR-M1 machine just 41 days after suffering a compound fracture in his right leg during practice at Mugello, the Italian produced a stunning return and was running in the top three for much of the opening session.

Rossi was only passed fit to return four weeks ahead of schedule in Germany yesterday and hobbled to his Fiat Yamaha machine on one crutch during this afternoon’s sun drenched opening practice session.
The 31-year-old, who is riding using specially modified Dainese leathers and a new bigger right boot, was rarely outside the top six in a session that saw Spaniard Dani Pedrosa end up with the quickest time on his Repsol Honda RC212V machine.

All eyes though were on Rossi as the nine-times world champion returned having missed the last four races with the broken right leg he suffered in a massive practice high-side crash at Mugello in early June.
Rossi started the session with a ten-lap run and found himself in the top three with just 20 minutes remaining. A best lap of 1.23.269 at that stage left him just 0.120s off Casey Stoner, who was fastest at that point on board his factory Ducati GP10.

Rossi, who didn’t finish off the podium in 2010 before suffering the worst injury of his career, clocked his best time of 1.23.244 on his 29th and final lap to finish 0.723s behind Pedrosa.
But he was just over five-hundredths-of-a-second away from Ben Spies in fourth place.
Pedrosa drew first blood though in punishing temperatures with a best time of 1.22.521 coming on his final lap.

The triple world champion first moved to the top of the timesheets with 11 minutes remaining and then enjoyed an exciting duel for top spot with HRC-bound Aussie Stoner.
Pedrosa won the battle with his time edging out Stoner by 0.274s.

Factory Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden was struggling outside the top ten until the closing stages when he suddenly surged up the leaderboard.
Less than a minute remained when he logged a time of 1.22.983 to secure third spot as he chases a first podium of the season.

Had it not been for Rossi’s impressive return then performance of the day would have gone to Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Spies.
The Texan slowly built up his confidence on his first visit to the tight and twisty Sachsenring and recovered after an early off track excursion on his YZR-M1 machine.
Five minutes were left on the clock when he set a best time of 1.23.189 to finish fourth.

He was only 0.206s behind Hayden with Marco Simoncelli showing signs of his growing confidence too. The Italian was fifth fastest with a best lap of 1.23.204 that beat runaway world championship leader Jorge Lorenzo by just 0.020s.
Lorenzo, who has won the last three races and not finished outside of the top two all season, was a lowly sixth.
The Spaniard, who holds a commanding 52-point lead over Pedrosa in the title hunt, ended with a best time of 1.23.224.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Dani Pedrosa wins restarted Sachsenring clash

By Matthew Birt -mcn
MotoGP
18 July 2010 14:50


Dani Pedrosa stormed to only his second win of the 2010 campaign in a restarted German MotoGP race at the Sachsenring this afternoon.
The 24-year-old cruised to a relatively comfortable win over runaway series leader Jorge Lorenzo in a shortened 21-lap race.
The race had to be restarted when red flags came out for a major incident involving Randy de Puniet, Aleix Espargaro and Alvaro Bautista.
The Frenchman crashed heavily and has been diagnosed with a double break in his right leg. And Espargaro and Bautista were both fortunate to escape injury when they hit de Puniet’s RC212V after it came to rest in the middle of the track before turn five.
Once the race was restarted it developed into another scrap between Spanish rivals Pedrosa and Lorenzo.
Fiat Yamaha rider Lorenzo had led the way before the stoppage and he did so again in search of a sixth win in the opening eight races.
He took the lead from a fast starting Pedrosa on lap two. Pedrosa hit back seven laps later with a late braking attack at the first corner. But he was unable to hold his line and Lorenzo immediately seized the initiative back.
Pedrosa produced a carbon copy move on the brakes at the first corner on lap ten and this time he was able to make it stick.
With clear track in front of him Pedrosa was able to instantly open up a gap on Lorenzo.
At the end of lap 11 he was 0.482s clear and a lap later his advantage was a comfortable 0.699s as Lorenzo was unable to respond on his YZR-M1 machine.
Pedrosa eventually won by a convincing margin of 3.355s to win for the first time since the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in early June.
His victory reduced Lorenzo’s title lead to 47-points heading to California later this week for the American MotoGP clash at Laguna Seca.
Pedrosa said: "I am very happy because we have won again. The race was difficult because of the restart. In the first race Jorge and I were riding very well and pulling away.
"It was almost the same in the second race with both of us going on. I had some spinning but I could keep my pace and move away from Jorge. It is an amazing feeling."
Lorenzo, who has still not finished below second place in 2010, said: "The only thing I could do was to finish second and this is positive for the championship."
With Pedrosa’s Repsol Honda and Lorenzo well clear at the front, a titanic battle unfolded for third involving reigning world champion Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner.
Rossi’s comeback performance after a six-week lay-off with the broken right leg he suffered in Mugello last month was nothing short of miraculous.
The race stoppage undoubtedly helped him avoid having to run 30 successive laps but he lost third place to Stoner by just 0.366ss after a phenomenal ride.
The Italian was 1.973s adrift of Stoner’s factory Ducati GP10 when he passed Andrea Dovizioso to snatch fourth place on lap six.
But he quickly hauled himself into rostrum contention and passed the 2007 world champion for the first time on lap 13.
That was the start of a pulsating clash between the pair with both producing brilliant overtakes to take the advantage.
Rossi looked like he’d secured a stunning podium on his return, only to be thwarted by a brilliantly executed move by Stoner on the brakes at the final corner on the last lap.
Stoner just got the front wheel of his GP10 inside Rossi’s YZR-M1 to make a block pass that gave the heroic 31-year-old Italian no chance to retaliate.
It was Stoner’s third successive third place finish and certainly one of the hardest podiums of his career.
He said: "The first part of the race I didn't have a good feeling with the bike and couldn't run with Jorge and Dani. In the second part we put an old tyre on from yesterday and I was a bit faster. But I couldn't do anything to catch those two at the front.
"Valentino was faster than me and he was taking big chunks of time out of me. We had a great battle and there was some great passes. I went it for it at the last corner and we touched but I'm very happy to come away with a podium."
Dovizioso was unable to match his pace in the second race and only just held off fellow Italian Marco Simoncelli and American Nicky Hayden to secure fifth.
Mika Kallio crashed out of the restart at the first corner while Colin Edwards had fell off at the final corner shortly before the red flags came out while he was in a lowly 16th.

1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 28m 50.476s
2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Fiat Yamaha Team 28m 53.831s
3. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 28m 55.733s
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 28m 56.099s
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 29m 7.634s
6. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 29m 8.233s
7. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 29m 8.411s
8. Ben Spies USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 29m 11.433s
9. Hector Barbera ESP Paginas Amarillas Aspar 29m 12.476s
10. Marco Melandri ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 29m 25.693s
11. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 29m 35.518s
12. Alex de Angelis RSM Interwetten Honda MotoGP 29m 35.68s

DNF:
Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing
Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
Aleix Espargaro ESP Pramac Racing
Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP >
Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3

 

[Koray Can]

Tech3 stunk last weekend.

Too bad for RdP who's been running excellent. His bunnies will be missed surely.

I also found British Eurosport's coverage way better than (the world feed?) Nick, Gavin & Ian.

 

[Ross Balfour]

Europosrt commentary is always better than BBC or the like. Toby and Julian are brilliant commentators. Great ride by Rossi, unlucky not to get a podium. But respect to Dani!

 

[Jay Adgie]

Casey Stoner sets Laguna Seca pace

By Matthew Birt -MCN
MotoGP
24 July 2010 15:24

Factory Ducati rider Casey Stoner ended opening practice for Sunday’s American MotoGP race with the fastest time after an intense early weekend battle with Jorge Lorenzo.
Lorenzo first moved to the top of the leaderboard in search of his first win in California with just over a quarter of the session elapsed.

A 1.22.866 knocked Fiat Yamaha rival Valentino Rossi off top spot after the Italian had made an impressively fast start to the hour-long session that was run in sunny but cool conditions.
A series of blistering laps extended the Spaniard’s advantage to almost half-a-second before Aussie Stoner mounted his decisive attack shortly before the halfway point.
A lap of 1.22.640 put the 24-year-old within striking distance of Lorenzo’s factory Yamaha YZR-M1, Stoner lapping just 0.110s behind the runaway world championship leader.
Stoner then logged a lap of 1.22.201 to surge over 0.3s clear of Lorenzo, who will start Sunday’s 32-lap American MotoGP encounter with a commanding 47-point lead over fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.

Lorenzo, who has yet to finish outside the top two in the opening eight races of the season, got to within 0.007s of the 2007 world champion before a lap of 1.22.133 with 18 minutes remaining put Stoner just 0.075s clear.
Stoner made sure he took the spoils with a brilliant late lap of 1.21.699. That put him over 0.5s clear of Lorenzo and the 23-year-old was only able to reduce the deficit to 0.233s.
Lorenzo ended with a best time of 1.21.932 to finish 0.293s clear of Italian Andrea Dovizioso.
Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, winner of last weekend’s Sachsenring race in Germany, was fourth fastest with a best of 1.22.559. That left him 0.860s behind Stoner and 0.334s away from Dovizioso.
Home favourite Ben Spies, who h
as won three American superbike races at Laguna Seca, occupied fifth place with a best lap of 1.22.640 that was only 0.081s behind Pedrosa.
The 26-year-old Texan was the last ride to lap within a second of Stoner with reigning world champion Rossi in a respectable sixth spot.
The Italian, starting only his second Grand Prix since breaking his right leg in Mugello back in early June, was just 0.020s behind Spies with two-time American MotoGP winner Nicky Hayden in seventh.

Colin Edwards was eighth fastest as he benefited from an engine upgrade from Yamaha that was also used by Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Spies.
Edwards logged a best time of 1.22.971 to finish 0.069s behind Hayden.
Marco Simoncelli recovered from an early crash on only his third lap at turn three to post the 12th best time. The Italian clocked a best time of 1.24.002 with top rookie award going to Aleix Espargaro in tenth.
Roger Lee Hayden deputising for the injured Randy de Puniet, took the LCR Honda to a best lap of 1.25.432 to finish in 17th place.
He was 3.733s behind Stoner’s impressive pace but just 0.401s behind Alvaro Bautista’s factory Suzuki GSV-R.

 

[Koray Can]

Spies said he had to slow down a tad on his last qualifying lap because of Kallio's crash.

Roger Lee can't ride that bike.

I thought Rossi would have done better. But, perhaps Laguna is just too physically demanding.

Speed's coverage makes me want to injure my tv.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Jorge Lorenzo takes giant leap towards maiden title

By Matthew Birt -MCN
MotoGP
26 July 2010 06:50

Jorge Lorenzo took a giant stride towards his first MotoGP world title in Laguna Seca after closest rival Dani Pedrosa crashed out of the lead in a sun-soaked American Grand Prix.
The Fiat Yamaha rider was able to cruise to his sixth win in nine races after Pedrosa’s hopes of registering back-to-back victories for the first time in his career ended in a pile of dust at turn five on lap 12.

The Repsol Honda rider had just started to come under intense pressure from fellow Spaniard Lorenzo, who had got a sluggish start after claiming his fifth consecutive pole position in qualifying.
Pedrosa had got his customary blistering start from the second row to claim the holeshot and by the end of lap four he’d opened up a lead of 0.826s with Casey Stoner leading the chase in second.

Stoner looked in ominous form as he quickly began to reel in Pedrosa, who had won the German MotoGP at the Sachsenring in fine style seven days ago.
The Aussie cut the deficit to just 0.484s at the end of lap five but his own hopes of adding to his 2007 Laguna Seca success were effectively ended a lap later when he ran wide to let Lorenzo through into second.
Stoner lost 0.9s with that mistake alone and he was never able to drag himself back in contention for the victory.
Pedrosa looked like capitalising as he stretched his advantage over Lorenzo to a healthy 1.104s on lap eight. But it was on lap nine when Lorenzo began to up his own pace and mount a serious threat.

He cut the gap to 0.865s on lap nine and as his confidence grew rapidly with his factory Yamaha YZR-M1, he dropped the deficit to 0.782s on lap ten.
Lorenzo was now heaping pressure on Pedrosa with the gap down to 0.620s on lap 11 and less than two minutes later, the 24-year-old’s hopes of reducing Lorenzo’s series lead ended in disaster.
Entering turn five, the front end of his factory RC212V suddenly washed out and Pedrosa was flying through the gravel trap.
He walked away unhurt but his title hopes suffered a crushing blow with Lorenzo’s 11th premier class victory moving Lorenzo a convincing 72-points clear in the overall rankings.
With Pedrosa out of the equation, double world 250GP champion Lorenzo cruised to victory to add Laguna Seca to his success in Indianapolis last August. He celebrated by dressing up as an astronaut at the Corkscrew.

Stoner was able to ease to an easy second place for his best result of the 2010 campaign with Valentino Rossi producing a magnificent ride to claim third.
The Italian was a massive 2.509s adrift of fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso shortly before the halfway stage as he was locked in an intense battle with American duo Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies for fourth.

The 31-year-old though, riding just 50 days after suffering a compound fracture of his right leg in Mugello, produced a heroic fightback.
By the end of lap 26, Rossi had guided his factory Yamaha YZR-M1 to Dovizioso’s back wheel and he pounced with a clinical overtake at the final corner on lap 27.
Dovizioso, who had claimed his first ever MotoGP front row yesterday, was unable to retaliate as Rossi claimed his first rostrum since the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
Home favourite Nicky Hayden claimed his best result since Silverstone with a hard earned fifth.
It looked like he would have to settle for a top six, as he was unable to match Rossi’s impressive pace.

He’d actually lost fifth spot on lap 21 when Spies dived underneath him at turn five.
But the Texan, who was sitting in a menacing position behind Rossi, blew his podium hopes when he ran momentarily off track at the final corner on lap 25.
The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider finished sixth ahead of team-mate Colin Edwards, who had early got the better of an exciting mid-pack tussle with San Carlo Gresini Honda duo Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli.
Former world 250GP champion Simoncelli escaped injury when he crashed at turn five on lap 19 while holding ninth.

Alvaro Bautista crashed his factory Suzuki GSV-R out of 14th on lap three while Aleix Espargaro also tumbled out at turn five while he was looking to pull away from Pramac Ducati team-mate Mika Kallio.

Results
1 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha
2 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team Ducati
3 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha
4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda
5 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati
6 Ben SPIES USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha
7 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha
8 Marco MELANDRI ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda
9 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Team Ducati
10 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki
11 Roger Lee HAYDEN USA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda
12 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM Interwetten Honda MotoGP Honda

Not Classified
41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 154.7 4 Laps
58 Marco SIMONCELLI ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 155.4 14 Laps
26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 157.6 21 Laps
40 Hector BARBERA SPA Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati 147.3 29 Laps
19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 146.0 30 Laps

 

[Omer Said]

Moto Gp 2010 season's 9th stop Laguna Seca hold an exciting race on Sunday. With the crash of Pedrosa, Lorenzo won his 6th win this year and increased his gap to 72 points

Pedrosa had a very dramatic crash while he was going for an easy victory. After the race he expressed his disappointment by saying 'very, very disappointed'. Stoner on the other hand gave his position and the victory to Lorenzo, after a decent fight. And he took a solid second place with a decent gap from the 3rd place. Austrulian rider took his best result in 2010 season

Recovering from his injuries, Valentino Rossi had a great race again. He fought for podium against Dovizioso, Hayden and Spies. These four riders demonstrated an epic show for the American spectators.

However, Ben Spies disappointed his fans by handing over his 3rd place with outbraking himself at the last corner while 8 laps to go.

Hayden brothers became the first point scoring brothers since the Checa brothers' 2005 Dutch Gp. Nicky Hayden as 5th and Roger Lee Hayden as 11th. Unlucky Espergaro crashed again as he did at the last race Sachsenring and lost his 9th place.



Results

1. Jorge Lorenzo
2. Casey Stoner
3. Valentino Rossi
4. Andrea Dovizioso
5. Nicky Hayden
6. Ben Spies
7. Colin Edwards
8. Marco Melandri
9. Loris Capirossi
10. Mika Kallio
11. Roger Lee Hayden
12. Alex de Angelis

Retirements

Aleix Espargaro
Marco Simoncelli
Dani Pedrosa
Hector Barbera
Alvaro Bautista

 

[Günthar Rowe]

good to see Rossi getting stronger results!

 

[Omer Said]

Even he is still having some pain, manages the podium. This guy is a legend

 

[Stefan Werner]

We need more bikes on the grid in MotoGP. Everything just gets much to spread out with such few riders and then it's just boring to watch. Sounds like there will be at least one more bike on the grid next year, although it hasn't been confirmed yet. Hoping for a few more new entries to find their way onto the grid for 2011.

 

[David Garcia]

We need more bikes on the grid in MotoGP.

I agree, the grid is ridicously small and the double of what they are now would be OK.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Brno MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo continues domination

By Matthew Birt - MCN
MotoGP
13 August 2010 14:26

Jorge Lorenzo started the second half of the 2010 MotoGP campaign as he ended the first – on top and in dominant form at Brno.
The Spaniard, who was won six out of nine races so far this season, resumed after the short summer break today in ominous form to dominate the opening practice timesheets in preparation for Sunday’s Czech Republic MotoGP.
Lorenzo had first moved to the top of the leaderboard with 20 minutes remaining with a lap of 1.57.439 that put him over 0.3s clear of compatriot Dani Pedrosa.
He followed that up with a lap of 1.57.215 to jump 0.514s ahead of Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa.

That was good enough to claim top spot as light rain prevented anyone improving their lap times in the final ten minutes.
Pedrosa, who trails Fiat Yamaha rider Lorenzo by a massive 72-points going into Sunday’s 22-lap encounter, clocked a best time of 1.57.756 to edge out reigning world champion Valentino Rossi in third by just 0.065s.

Rossi, who claims he is still only 65 per cent with recovering right shoulder and leg injuries, set the early pace and the 31-year-old ended with a best time of 1.57.821.
That put him 0.052a clear of fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso who secured fourth with a best time of 1.57.873.

Factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden was fifth quickest with his lap of 1.58.286 just over a second away from Lorenzo’s impressive pace.
Colin Edwards made a fast return after claiming his best result of the season on home soil at Laguna Seca last month. He rode his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine to the sixth best time with a best of 1.58.497.

Aussie Casey Stoner had a tough return from the summer interval as he could only post the seventh best time and never seriously threatened the top three throughout the 60-minute session on his factory Ducati GP10.
His best time of 1.58.532 was a massive 1.317s adrift of Lorenzo.

Randy de Puniet completed 16 laps on his stunning return from injury. The Frenchman was back in action only 26 days after he breaking his left leg in two places after a crash during last month’s German MotoGP at Sachsenring.
The LCR Honda rider logged a best time of 2.00.184 to finish 16th. Only Alex de Angelis was slower on the Interwetten Honda RC212V.

Marco Simoncelli recovered from an early crash on his San Carlo Gresini Honda to post the eighth best time.
A 1.58.840 was 0.130s ahead of Texan Ben Spies, who won one World Superbike race in the Czech Republic last year on his way to the world title.