Edwards opens MotoGP practice sessions as top man

Tech 3 Yamaha´s Colin Edwards continued his 2008 renaissance upon arrival at the Circuito de Jerez, laying down a time of 1'40.714 just two tenths slower than the race lap record under the Spanish sun. The American had previously showed his rejuvenation with a front row for round one of the season in Qatar, and continued to impress with the less powerful satellite version of the Yamaha M1 in the opening MotoGP Jerez session.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner –chasing his first podium at the Andalusian track- kept up with Edwards´ early pace, just over a tenth of a second slower than the `Texas Tornado´. The duo were joined by Fiat Yamaha´s five-time Jerez race winner Valentino Rossi as the only riders to break the 1´41 mark.

Stoner and Rossi were the only two riders in the top six running Bridgestone-shod machinery, with the resurgent Michelin at a track where they have a superb record. 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden was one of the Michelin men amongst the early frontrunners, with two different versions of the Repsol Honda RC212V at his disposal this weekend.

Home rider Jorge Lorenzo and fellow rookie Andrea Dovizioso continued from where they left off in Qatar, concluding the top six, ahead of last year´s poleman Dani Pedrosa, Suzuki´s Australian star Chris Vermeulen and the San Carlo Honda Gresini pairing of Alex de Angelis & Shinya Nakano.