Stoner continues to dominate in practice

Ducati rider Casey Stoner came within 0.006s of his own best lap from Friday’s first practice, setting a best time of 1’32.819 in the second session on Saturday to head the timesheet once more at Valencia.

Setting his time on his 23rd of 24 laps of the hour-long practice, Stoner was 0.168s faster than Dani Pedrosa, with the Repsol Honda man second quickest ahead of Jorge Lorenzo.

Pedrosa and Lorenzo both improved on their first-session efforts – and recorded their fastest times of the session on their final laps – whilst the latter’s Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi was again fourth-fastest, at just over half a second off Stoner’s mark.

Nicky Hayden showed great control when saving his bike from damage as he ran off late in the session, and finished fifth-fastest in the timings by taking more than half a second off his Friday time.

Pedrosa’s Repsol Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards both also finished within a second of Stoner’s pace, whilst Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda), Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing) all posted top-ten times in the session too.

Wildcard Ben Spies, riding for the Sterilgarda Yamaha Team, was 12th fastest, improving on his rank of 15th from the previous day.