Stoner´s form rolls on to Sachsenring practice

The winner of the past two Grands Prix, and the dominant rider in free practice and qualifying at said events, continued to impose his will on the premier class in Sachsenring. Reigning World Champion Casey Stoner emerged from the opening practice session for the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland with the fastest time of the morning, a 1´22.318 turn of the German circuit.

Frequently impressing in practice, if not quite mirroring the results in the races themselves, Alex de Angelis once again attracted attention onboard the San Carlo Gresini Honda. The San Marino rider recorded a late lap just under three-tenths of a second slower than Stoner´s marker, relegating Valentino Rossi to third on the timing screen.

Last year´s race winner and current MotoGP World Championship leader Dani Pedrosa was fourth fastest, the quickest Michelin-shod rider of the session. Behind him, Andrea Dovizioso and Shinya Nakano made it four Hondas in the top six.

Tech 3 Yamaha´s Colin Edwards headed countryman Nicky Hayden, LCR Honda rider Randy de Puniet and Fiat Yamaha´s Jorge Lorenzo in the top ten, whilst returning rider Loris Capirossi experienced a slow start in Sachsenring as he tested out his forearm condition fllowing his Assen crash.