Stoner shapes up strong on day one in Misano

2008-08-30 09:43
Casey Stoner was the fastest rider on track on Friday at Misano, making his opening preparations for the Gran Premio Cinzano di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. The 2007 poleman, racewinner and, lest we forget, MotoGP World Champion clocked a 1'34.806 lap to continue his almost immaculate record of practice session success from the last six races.

Just over four-tenths of a second down on Stoner's marker was local favourite and current World Championship leader Valentino Rossi, making his first on-track appearance at Misano since his ill-fated race last year. With the series' top two riders of the moment looking to be in fine form, early indications point to another gripping battle for supremacy between Stoner and Rossi on Sunday.

Someone who will also want to have a say in matters is Loris Capirossi, third in practice on Friday and himself just over half a second down on Stoner. The soon-to-be holder of the record for most Grand Prix appearances was riding the 2007 Misano podium-taking Rizla Suzuki GSV-R for the first time at his second 'home' circuit in the initial sessions.
Another veteran, Colin Edwards gave tyre fabricant Michelin their highest position of the day in fourth, although the Tech 3 Yamaha rider was unable to improve on his morning time in Free Practice 2.

LCR Honda's Randy de Puniet was the fastest rider for the Japanese factory over the course of the day, in fifth ahead of second Suzuki man Chris Vermeulen and Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo. All of the top seven were within a second of Stoner's time.

Talmacsi on 125cc provisional pole Home rider Alex de Angelis also featured in the top ten, ahead of San Carlo Honda Gresini teammate Shinya Nakano and Tech 3 Yamaha's James Toseland. John Hopkins played no part in the day's events, still sore from a minor but awkwardly placed rib injury.

The leader of the 250cc World Championship, Marco Simoncelli put his best foot forward in Misano to take provisional pole on Friday afternoon. The Italian was the quickest quarter-litre rider ontrack in the first qualifying session for the San Marino race, aiming for his third consecutive top spot on the grid.

Simoncelli's fastest lap stopped the clock at 1'38.400, on his 17th turn of the circuit located close to his hometown of Cattolica. The Metis Gilera rider will prove a fearsome foe for his rivals this weekend, with only Hector Barbera joining Simoncelli in breaching the 1'39 barrier. Barbera was half a second down on the current 250cc top man in the qualifying run.

Emmi-Caffe Latte rider Thomas Luthi and last year's Misano runner-up Hiroshi Aoyama round off the provisional front row for the Sunday showdown, whilst behind them the foursome of Yuki Takahashi, Julian Simon, Mika Kallio and Mattia Pasini penciled their names onto the second line. Kallio is one of the favourites for the title this year, whilst Pasini hails from Rimini and was the winner of last season's 125cc race at Misano.

Gunning for his third 125cc pole position in as many races this weekend at Misano, Gabor Talmacsi continued his free practice form with a flying lap in qualifying on Friday afternoon. In the first of two sessions at the circuit to decide the lower cylinder category grid, the Bancaja Aspar rider recorded a fastest time of 1'44.172 to beat out rookie sensation Scott Redding.

The 2007 World Champion was nearly two-tenths of a second faster than the Blusens Aprilia teenager, with current series leader Mike di Meglio improving on his morning run to place on the provisional front row. Redding's fellow Briton Bradley Smith, riding the Polaris World Aprilia used by racewinner Mattia Pasini at Misano last year, joined his countryman on the front line.

Jack&Jones WRB's Nico Terol heads the second row after the opening qualifying session, with Sandro Cortese, Brno victor Stefan Bradl and Ajo Motorsport rider Dominique Aegerter completing the first eight. The highest placing Italian in the category was tenth-placed Simone Corsi, a title challenger and one of the first to have a shot at taking Italy's 700th Grand Prix win on Sunday.

Source: Dorna

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