
Suzuki rider John Hopkins was the fastest rider at Le Mans this morning. The American was only 0.060 of a second faster than Toni Elias. The MotoGP riders showed that the series is more competitive than ever before. Sixteen riders were within less than one second.
Hopkins, who finished in a well deserved third position at the last Grand Prix in Shanghai, showed he is well on the pace. Makoto Tamada (fourth) and Randy de Puniet (sixth) also surprised a few. World champion Nicky Hayden seems to be back on the pace. He set the seventh fastest time.
At Ducati things don't look as bright as during the last race. Casey Stoner was able to set the third fastest time, but his team-mate Loris Capirossi struggled and was fifteenth.