British MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa fastest at rain-hit Donington

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa topped an opening British MotoGP practice session dominated by constantly changing weather conditions at Donington Park today.

The session started under grey and gloomy skies on a soaked track after earlier torrential rain and the downpours continued in the early stages, But in typically unpredictable Donington weather conditions, sun and a strong wind saw the track quickly dry out as the session progressed.

And Repsol Honda rider took full advantage of a rapidly drying track right at the end of the session to clock a best time of 1.38.627 on his last lap. Pedrosa’s best knocked factory Ducati rider Casey Stoner off top spot, which the Aussie had held for the final ten minutes when he clocked a best of 1.38.872.

That left the 23-year-old just 0.245s slower than Pedrosa. Reigning world champion and current points leader Valentino Rossi ended a tight session in third position, the Fiat Yamaha rider clocking a best of 1.38.917 to finish just 0.045s adrift of Stoner. Andrea Dovizioso, who has failed to finish any of the last three races, had to settle for fourth place with a best time of 1.39.069 with title contender Jorge Lorenzo down in fifth position.

The Spaniard clocked a best time of 1.39.105 to finish 0.478s off Pedrosa’s best pace. Marco Melandri had an impressive session on the Hayate branded Kawasaki ZX-RR, the Italian running in the top three for much of the session. He also led at one stage, with Rossi, Stoner and Lorenzo all taking it in turns to claim top spot.

Home favourite James Toseland gave rain-soaked British fans something to cheer about for the majority of the session as he set about making amends for his bitterly disappointing Donington Grand Prix debut 13 months ago.

For most of the session the 28-year-old was challenging in the top six and just 25 minutes remained when the double World Superbike champion occupied a stunning third. But just when the track was at its best in the final stages, Toseland’s Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 ran out of fuel after he’d stayed out on track for the entire session. Missing the crucial closing stages, Toseland slipped down 12th place with a best lap of 1.40.522.

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