MotoGP news

Lorenzo on top of first Portuguese practice

Yamaha championship contender Jorge Lorenzo topped the timesheets as MotoGP returned to Estoril. The Spaniard, 30 points behind team-mate Valentino Rossi in the standings, led the way in Portugal from the Honda of Dani Pedrosa, Rossi and a returning Casey Stoner who was fourth for Ducati.

With just four races to go this year including this weekend's meeting, Lorenzo knows that the gap to Rossi must be reduced immediately; he responded to his team-mate's points lead in the best possible fashion on Friday afternoon by setting a leading time of 1:37.185 - just two tenths off his own lap record -  in the hour-long session.

Pedrosa proved again that he is seemingly the only man on par with the rapid Yamahas although Dani needs to watch his own back with returnee Stoner already on the pace; having missed three Grands Prix due to illness, the Australian is now determined to snatch back third place in the championship on his comeback for Ducati.

Colin Edwards was fifth, behind Rossi and Stoner, with Donington winner Dovizioso, de Puniet, de Angelis and Kallio all making the top ten. Also in that group - and in eighth place - was Britain's James Toseland, on his first race weekend since confirming a return to World Superbikes next season.


The second and final practice session in Portugal will commence at 9:55am local time on Saturday (BST / GMT +1).

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