Perfect start for Lorenzo while Rossi follows in second

Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo began his first ever MotoGP race on home soil in perfect fashion today, finishing the first day of practice in Jerez in first position at the front of an all-Yamaha top three. The young rookie, who lies second in the championship after an impressive debut in Qatar, was under lap record pace in the afternoon session and looks on-course to give his passionate home fans an exciting weekend.

Lorenzo was fifth fastest in the morning session but gradual work on his set-up, starting from a good base following the February test here, led to an improved pace in the warmer afternoon session and a best time of 1.40.321. It was a good day for Yamaha as Lorenzo's team-mate Valentino Rossi was just 0.043 seconds behind him, with Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards in third.
Jorge Lorenzo – 1st – 1.40.321

Results

Pos

Rider Team Time Behind Laps
1. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:40.321 28
2. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:40.364 Ã- 0.043 24
3. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1:40.584 Ã- 0.263 24
4. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1:40.673 Ã- 0.352 28
5. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:40.815 Ã- 0.494 26
6. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:40.877 Ã- 0.556 21
7. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1:40.909 Ã- 0.588 25
8. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1:41.028 Ã- 0.707 15
9. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:41.157 Ã- 0.836 24
10. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:41.189 Ã- 0.868 22
11. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 1:41.268 Ã- 0.947 26
12. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:41.303 Ã- 0.982 28
13. Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:41.393 Ã- 1.072 24
14. John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Team 1:41.519 Ã- 1.198 21
15. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team 1:41.825 Ã- 1.504 20
16. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team 1:42.115 Ã- 1.794 10
17. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team 1:42.181 Ã- 1.860 23
18. Toni Elias Alice Team 1:42.183 Ã- 1.862 22