Stoner fastest, Pedrosa hospitalized

MotoGP riders commenced a two-day test session at Catalunya this afternoon, and Casey Stoner was fastest, but yesterday's race-winner Dani Pedrosa ended the day in hospital after a heavy tumble at the one/turn two chicane.

Pedrosa suffered a highside tumble, landing heavily on his back. He was taken to Barcelona's Dexeus hospital where x-rays confirmed that he has no broken bones, but he has bruised his back and will need 48 hours of rest and anti-inflammatory medication. Pedrosa will not test tomorrow.

"The crash happened while I was changing direction in the first chicane," said Pedrosa. "It was a highside and I fell quite heavily. My back and my shoulders hurt. I crashed at the start of my second lap of that run, maybe because the tires weren't fully up to temperature. When I fell I was doing some tire testing with the standard engine. I only did ten laps with the pneumatic-valve engine so it's still too early to give any comments."

MOTOGP LAP TIMES
1 C.Stoner (Ducati) 1’41.533
2 V. Rossi (Yamaha) 1’41.857
3 S.Nakano (Honda) 1’42.039
4 J.Toseland (Yamaha) 1.42.505
5 A. De Angelis (Honda) 1’42.699
6 N.Hayden (Repsol Honda) 1’42.721
7 S. Guintoli (Ducati) 1’42.755
8 R. De Puniet (Honda) 1’42.775
9. C.Vermeulen (Suzuki) 1’42.782
10 A.Dovizioso (Honda) 1’42.818
11 C.Edwards (Yamaha) 1’43.127
12 T.Elias (Ducati) 1’43.197
13. D.Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) 1’43.552
14 J.Hopkins ((Kawasaki) 1’43.630
15. M.Melandri (Ducati) 1.44.326