Rossi slumps to 18th in Jerez GP practice

SEVEN times world champion Valentino Rossi slumped to a surprise 18th position in this morning’s third free MotoGP practice session in Jerez, as Carlos Checa topped the timesheets.

LCR Honda rider Checa continued his brilliant form in the build-up to tomorrow’s 27-lap Spanish GP, his best time of 1.40.659 good enough to beat Brazilian veteran Alex Barros into second place as the old guard overshadowed the new young pretenders in MotoGP.

But the big surprise was the performance of Italian Rossi, who was only 18th fastest with a best time of 1.42.129. That was a massive 1.470s slower than Checa, and only Suzuki test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi and struggling factory Kawasaki rider Olivier Jacque were slower.

Rossi had stated he was worried about Michelin tyre issues yesterday when he failed to break into the top three, and his concerns will only be heightened after this morning’s struggle.

On combined times for all three free practice sessions Rossi is only ninth fastest, while Fiat Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards is also struggling – his best combined time has only been good enough for 10th fastest.

Edwards said: “We are in a bit of trouble with the tyre selection we’ve made. We’ve got to hope the track comes to us a little bit but it’s tough at the moment with what we have chosen.”

Rossi was still one of the fastest riders over long distance runs yesterday, completing a 13-lap run (which is just shy of half race distance). He said: “After 13 laps the bike was moving a lot, so it will be who can handle the tyres the best in the second half of the race.”

Checa though continues to look in impressive form in front of his home crowd. Having set the fastest time yesterday, he made the most of warmer conditions today with track temperature peaking at 19 degrees. That was seven degrees hotter than yesterday morning’s session.

Barros was second fastest ahead of home crowd favourite Dani Pedrosa. The Repsol Honda rider led for much of the session though his best time of 1.41.070 was a fraction slower than his best yesterday afternoon. Pedrosa was consistently quick on long runs yesterday while compatriot Toni Elias also looks a threat.

He was sixth fastest this morning but on combined times for all three free practice sessions he was fourth quickest on the Bridgestone-shod Gresini Honda.

Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden’s title defence doesn’t look like getting any easier in Spain. The American was eighth fastest this morning, his best time of 1.41.366 over 0.7s adrift of Checa. On overall times the factory RC212V rider was only 12th.

TIMES

1 C CHECA 1:40.659
2 A BARROS 1:40.841
3 D PEDROSA 1:41.070
4 M MELANDRI 1:41.122
5 J HOPKINS 1:41.175
6 T ELIAS 1:41.179
7 C EDWARDS 1:41.301
8 N HAYDEN 1:41.366
9 C STONER 1:41.394
10 M TAMADA 1:41.406
11 S NAKANO 1:41.416
12 L CAPIROSSI 1:41.482
13 S GUINTOLI 1:41.674
14 R DE PUNIET 1:41.802
15 C VERMEULEN 1:41.872
16 A HOFMANN 1:41.886
17 K ROBERTS 1:41.966
18 V ROSSI 1:42.129
19 K AKIYOSHI 1:42.464
20 O JACQUE 1:42.560