Motorcycle News - Riders perpare for Donington edition of motorcycle racing series

Riders prepare for Donington edition of motorcycle racing series
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
June 21st 2008

Competitors are preparing for the British leg of Sunday's MotoGP motorcycle racing series.

Australian Casey Stoner (pictured right) set the standard with a superb best lap of one minute 28.253 seconds, showing his love for the course still remained from his win at Donington last year.

Former world champion Nicky Hayden clocked the second fastest time, with championship leader and seven-time Donington winner Valentino Rossi third fastest.

Rossi criticized the lack of grip available at the circuit and said he hoped the weather would improve.

"The main problem here is the asphalt because it doesn't have any grip any more and riding on it is very difficult," Rossi told reporters, "Of course the temperature was quite low, which didn't help, but in some parts of the track the asphalt is finished. It's a pity because this track is great, one of my favorites."

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who won the last Grand Prix in Barcelona and trails Rossi by just seven points in the championship, crashed at Redgate corner and was sixth fastest behind Colin Edwards, Toseland's Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate, and Alex De Angelis.

The race is scheduled for Sunday morning.

Practice Results
1. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1min 28:253sec
2. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda at 0.576sec
3. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 0.656
4. Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 0.716
5. Alex De Angelis (Smr) Honda 0.739
6. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 0.954
7. Shinya Nakano (Jpn) Honda 0.954
8. James Toseland (GB) Yamaha 1.088
9. Chris Vermeulen (US) Suzuki 1.157
10. Randy De Puniet (Fra) Honda 1.180

Current Standings
1 Valentino Rossi 142 pts
2 Daniel Pedrosa 135 pts
3 Jorge Lorenzo 94 pts
4 Casey Stoner 92 pts
5 Colin Edwards 69 pts
6 Andrea Dovizioso 56 pts
7 James Toseland 53 pts
8 Loris Capirossi 51 pts
9 Nicky Hayden 48 pts
10 Shinya Nakano 43 pts

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