Stoner sharpest in wet Mugello warm up

With rain beginning to fall just at the beginning of the MotoGP warm up in Tuscany the premier class riders went out with their wet tyres on and Casey Stoner emerged as the fastest participant.

Apparently ready for whatever conditions lie ahead, Stoner starts from second on the grid and he will aim for Ducati’s first ever Mugello victory having led the way in the morning by a half second margin from former team-mate Marco Melandri - who was second quickest on his Hayate Racing Kawasaki.

A man always seemingly comfortable in the rain, which in fairness had calmed down by the end of the session, Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen was third, with World Champion Valentino Rossi fourth. Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team-mate and poleman Jorge Lorenzo took no risks, down in 13th place.

The top ten was completed by Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi, Ducati’s Nicky Hayden, LCR Honda’s Randy de Puniet, Yamaha satellite rider Colin Edwards and additional Honda pair Alex de Angelis and Andrea Dovizioso.