British MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo sets Silverstone pace

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo mastered the long and fast new Silverstone circuit faster than anybody else this afternoon to top the opening practice session for Sunday’s British MotoGP clash.  

Lorenzo was largely anonymous for the opening half of the session as he slowly got to grips with the challenging 3.66 miles Northamptonshire circuit on board his factory Yamaha YZR-M1. 

He moved into second place just before the halfway stage but didn’t hit the top of the timesheets until just 13 minutes were remaining when he posted a best time of 2.06.203 that put him 0.144s clear of Andrea Dovizioso.

And on his next lap he lapped even faster with a best time of 2.05.991 that was good enough for the world championship leader to top the session.

Lorenzo, who goes into this weekend’s race holding a comfortable 25-point lead over Dani Pedrosa in the standings, beat Aussie Casey Stoner by 0.142s.

Stoner, who has yet to score a podium finish in 2010, clocked a best time of 2.06.133, but was denied his chance to overhaul Lorenzo when rain started falling in the final three minutes to bring a premature end to proceedings.

Third fastest was 2009 British GP winner Dovizioso, who was a constant threat in the top three for much of the session. The Italian rider ended with a best time of 2.06.347 to finish just over three thens off Lorenzo.

French rider Randy de Puniet ended fourth quickest after he had led the session for long periods.

He was on top with 25 minutes completed with a best lap of 2.06.934 that put him over 0.6s clear of Stoner at that stage.

Texan Ben Spies was impressively fifth fastest on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine. The reigning World Superbike champion logged a best time of 2.07.250 to finish over a second off Lorenzo’s best pace.

The top six was completed by Italian GP winner Pedrosa, who finished with a best time of 2.07.586.

Nicky Hayden was a lowly tenth on board the factory Ducati GP10 while Colin Edwards too had a struggle in the opening session.

The veteran American ended with a best time of 2.08.525 that left him 2.534s off the pace.