Stoner fastest in first Barcelona practice

Honda’s Casey Stoner led the way in the first Catalonia practice session on Friday. Behind the Australian's best lap time of 1:43.918, satellite rider Marco Simoncelli managed second for Gresini as World Champion Jorge Lorenzo completed the top three. Injured compatriot Dani Pedrosa is unable to compete this weekend.

On a somewhat cloudy morning at the Circuit de Catalunya, with sunshine attempting to break through, the session began shortly after 10am local time.

Prior to setting his eventual best time, 2007 winner Stoner traded the top spot with a selection of rival bikes, with team-mate Andrea Dovizioso plus Simoncelli and local favorite Lorenzo all enjoying moments in P1. Also finishing in the top five was the second factory Yamaha bike of Ben Spies.

With Britain’s Cal Crutchlow seventh on the Tech3 Yamaha machine, other Spaniards Toni Elías, Ã�lvaro Bautista and Hector Barberá ended the 45-minute period in respective 13th, 14th and 16th positions.

Results