Stoner whets appetite in MotoGP warmup

Casey Stoner recorded the best MotoGP time of the morning warmup session, recording a time of 2´13.055 at the Shanghai International Circuit. The Australian will start from the front row for the first time this season, and proved to be equally comfortable in the wet as he manoeuvred his way around the soaking Chinese track.

Fellow front row starter Valentino Rossi –the winner of the only previous wet weather race in Shanghai, was second quickest, nearly nine-tenths of a second behind his rival. Another past winner, Dani Pedrosa, was third onboard his Rpesol Honda RC212V.

Set for his 100th premier class start today, John Hopkins finished the session in fourth, and was welcomed back to the Kawasaki garage with a cake to celebrate the occasion. He had a run-off after clocking his quickest time. Rookies Andrea Dovizioso and Alex de Angelis completed the top six, with poleman Colin Edwards eighth.