Dani Pedrosa starts on top in Catalunya

Dani Pedrosa made the perfect start to his home race in Catalunya this morning when he edged out title rivals Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo in the opening free practice session.

Factory Honda rider Dani Pedrosa clocked a best time of 1.43.691 to beat eight-times Catalunya winner Rossi by just 0.144s.

Just a further 0.126s behind Rossi was home favourite Jorge Lorenzo on the Fiat Yamaha as he clocked a 1.43.961. That was just 0.270s behind Pedrosa, who posted the best time of the session with 14 minutes remaining.

The triple world champion, who goes into Sunday’s 25-lap race 12-points behind Rossi, first moved to the top of the timesheets with 19 minutes remaining with a 1.43.984.

That knocked surprise leader Chris Vermeulen off top spot, and Pedrosa’s next three laps were all faster as he extended his advantage to 0.467s at one stage.

Rossi, who has won the last three races, got closest as he logged a best of 1.43.835 on his 26th and last lap.

Rizla Suzuki rider Vermeulen ended fourth with a best of 1.43.968, which was just 0.277s off the best time and 0.007s slower than Lorenzo.

Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards claimed fifth in the closing stages while Mugello sensation Alex de Angelis continued his good form with a 1.44.021 good enough for the sixth best time. At one stage he was as high as second.

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has a torrid opening session in his bid for a second successive win in Barcelona as he ended eighth. The Aussie suffered one crash and two other off-track excursions.

British rider James Toseland was 10th quickest on his Catalunya debut. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocked a 1.44.263 to finish 0.572s off Pedrosa.

Rocked by the fact that he still can’t race Honda’s new pneumatic valve motor, Nicky Hayden slumped to 14th with a 1.44.482.