Capirossi heads damp final practice in Portugal

The Italian produced the best time of the final session before qualifying. His lap time of 1’44.515 was just over half a second quicker than current championship leader, Lorenzo. Capirossi has had two rostrum finishes here at Estoril back in 2001 and 2003.

After rain overnight, the MotoGP class were greeted by damp conditions at the circuit and even though there was no rain falling, times were around six seconds off the best set on Friday. In a quiet third practice, the riders initially came out on the wet tyres, but towards the latter stages, most rode on slicks.

Reigning World Champion Lorenzo (+0.564s) who has been in the top four in all three practice sessions, was second, one place ahead of Hayden (+1.440). Second Ducati Team rider, Valentino Rossi, who has achieved ten podiums at Estoril in his career, was in fourth (+1.966s), just ahead of his rival, Casey Stoner. The Australian (+3.161s) was the fastest Repsol Honda rider in fifth, with Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa in sixth and seventh respectively.

After struggling in the first two rounds of 2011, Toni Elías (LCR Honda) went eighth quickest. The Portuguese circuit has happy memories for the Spaniard after securing a memorable win here in 2006 after an exciting battle with Valentino Rossi. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team) who had dominated both practice sessions on Friday was ninth fastest, ahead of the second Pramac Racing rider, Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing).

Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) was the only rider not to attempt a lap time in time after only being passed fit to race for this weekend two days ago.