Pedrosa strikes back in wet Assen practice session

After a slow start to his time in Assen, Dani Pedrosa reminded his rivals that he is not to be underestimated in the third and final MotoGP free practice session. The Repsol Honda rider clocked a 1´39.050 lap to top the morning timesheet in the Netherlands, breaching the 1´40 mark in the final seconds of the run-out.

Like yesterday, the top two riders had a considerable margin between them. Second fastest was LCR Honda satellite man Randy de Puniet, some eight-tenths of a second slower than Pedrosa on his quickest lap.

Completing an all-Michelin top four in the tricky conditions presented by morning rain, 2006 Assen racewinner Nicky Hayden and Netherlands superbike victor James Toseland also started the day strongly, ahead of Thursday´s man to beat, Casey Stoner.

Alex de Angelis remained in the top six despite the change in conditions, ahead of five-time MotoGP World Champion and last year´s triumphant rider Valentino Rossi, Alice Team´s Sylvain Guintoli, 2007 poleman Chris Vermeulen and Kawasaki rider Anthony West.

After placing in the top three yesterday, Colin Edwards was surprisingly the slowest rider on track in the morning session, some 7.5 seconds slower than Pedrosa´s time.

Conditions for qualifying are set to keep the riders and teams guessing, although they will be prepared for any eventuality having had a dry run in both of the opening two practice sessions.