MotoGP China: Rossi on top on Friday

Valentino Rossi’s morning lap of 1´59.906 was enough to take the early advantage in the MotoGP combined free practice standings, with not even the Italian himself able to beat his hot lap in the second session.

The Fiat Yamaha rider finished second in the afternoon runout, behind 2007 Shanghai racewinner and reigning World Champion Casey Stoner. However, Stoner’s 2´00.186 lap was not sufficient to better Rossi’s marker, falling just over two tenths of a second short.

Both riders had grip problems on their final outing of the day, avoiding highsides on the sun-heated asphalt but losing time making corrections. Rossi ran off track, a fate that also befell Alice Team’s Toni Elias and Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi.

Practice Session 2 Times

Practice Session 1 Times