MotoGP news

Stoner fastest in opening practice at Assen

Casey Stoner continued his strong performance at Assen on Thursday morning. The winner of last week's race at Donington topped the time sheets and was well ahead of former champion Nicky Hayden and his team mate Dani Pedrosa.

The fourth Grand Prix weekend in just five weeks time got under way on Thursday morning at the TT Circuit of Assen. The race, being part of the MotoGP championship calendar since 1949, always promises interesting races and results.

Ducati rider Casey Stoner continued his strong performance. The Australian will be the man to beat this weekend in his way back to the top of the championship standings. Stoner topped the time sheets at the end of the one-hour free practice session with a gap of six tenths of a second on Nicky Hayden.

San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Alex de Angelis was fifth fastest in his first MotoGP practice session at Assen, while last year's winner at Assen Valentino Rossi ended in sixth.

After missing last week's British Grand Prix Loris Capirossi is back on track. The Italian ended twelfth on the time sheets.

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