MotoGP news

Dovizioso fastest in Le Mans practice

Andrea Dovizioso was the fastest rider in France on Friday in a semi-dry session at Le Mans. With rain falling just past the thirty minute mark of the session, the Repsol Honda rider's time - set in the dry first half - topped the timesheets ahead of Casey Stoner and local hero Randy de Puniet. Chris Vermeulen's Suzuki finished fourth with Dani Pedrosa on the second Honda rounding out the top five.

Dovizioso's best effort of 1.36.136 came amid dull conditions but a dry track at Le Mans, ahead of a mixed-up field of riders in unexpected positions after a session of one hour duration for the first time since 2008. The French crowd was delighted to see de Puniet in the top two, as the big guns' late appearances meant setting lap times on a wet track. Just outside of the top five were Yamaha team-mates Valentino Rossi and championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, as rain affected the fourth weekend of three so far this season.

Nicky Hayden, hoping for a good three days in north-west France, continued to struggle for a reliable setup on his Ducati with only 15th position in the final classification. The American did complete the most laps of the day, however, gaining valuable information for the changeable conditions from 21 laps worth of data logging. Britain's sole representative, James Toseland, was 12th for Onde 2000 as the Pramac of Niccolo Canepa set the 18th and slowest lap time with a showing of 1.39.116.

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