Brno MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa dominates first practice

Dani Pedrosa made a fast return to MotoGP action after the short summer break in Brno this morning, the Spaniard dominating the opening free practice session at the Czech Republic track.

After Marco Simoncelli made the early running in dry but overcast conditions, Pedrosa ended the 45-minute session with an impressive best time of 1.56.328.

That put the Spaniard a massive 0.966s clear of Repsol Honda team-mate Casey Stoner, who grabbed second with a 1.57.294. The Australian was the only rider to finish inside of a second of Pedrosa this morning.

San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Simoncelli finished third but suffered a late crash when he lost the front-end of his factory RC212V machine in a left-hand turn. He walked away unhurt and set a best time of 1.57.408.

Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo was fourth but he was a massive 1.259s behind compatriot Pedrosa.

John Hopkins impressed on the Suzuki GSV-R, the American clocking the seventh best time.

The current BSB title contender, who is making a wild card appearance for Suzuki in Brno, set a best time of 1.58.321 to finish 0.024s ahead of Suzuki regular Alvaro Bautista.

It was another nightmare session for Ducati with Valentino Rossi the fastest Bologna factory rider in a disappointing 11th.

The nine-times world champion could only manage a best time of 1.58.819 to finish 2.491s behind Pedrosa’s best pace.

The six Ducatis sat between 11th and 17th places with Nicky Hayden struggling in 14th.

1. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, Honda 299.5, 1’56.328 
2. Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda Team, Honda 296.7, 1’57.294, 0.966 / 0.966
3. Marco Simoncelli, San Carlo Honda Gresini, Honda 291.5, 1’57.408, 1.080 / 0.114
4. Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing, Yamaha 295.0, 1’57.587, 1.259 / 0.179
5. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda Team, Honda 295.2, 1’57.776, 1.448 / 0.189
6. Ben Spies, Yamaha Factory Racing, Yamaha 290.8, 1’57.903, 1.575 / 0.127
7. John Hopkins, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, Suzuki 293.0, 1’58.321, 1.993 / 0.418
8. Alvaro Bautista, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, Suzuki 294.4, 1’58.345, 2.017 / 0.024
9. Cal Crutchlow, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, Yamaha 292.3, 1’58.390, 2.062 / 0.045
10. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, Yamaha 292.4, 1’58.497, 2.169 / 0.107
11. Valentino Rossi, Ducati Team, Ducati 292.0, 1’58.819, 2.491 / 0.322
12. Randy De Puniet, Pramac Racing Team, Ducati 291.0, 1’58.927, 2.599 / 0.108
13. Hector Barbera, Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP, Ducati 297.8, 1’58.973, 2.645 / 0.046
14. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Team, Ducati 290.5, 1’58.975, 2.647 / 0.002
15. Hiroshi Aoyama, San Carlo Honda Gresini, Honda 296.5, 1’59.289, 2.961 / 0.314
16. Karel Abraham, Cardion AB Motoracing, Ducati 293.9, 1’59.334, 3.006 / 0.045
17. Loris Capirossi, Pramac Racing Team, Ducati 290.2, 1’59.706, 3.378 / 0.372
18. Toni Elias, LCR Honda MotoGP, Honda 294.0, 2’00.201, 3.873 / 0.495