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Lorenzo leads opening Sepang practice
23 October 2009 / Results / PhotosYamaha's Jorge Lorenzo led the way as practice commenced at Sepang ahead of this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix. With Phillip Island's race having taken place less than seven days ago, the trip to Asia signals the start of the second event in a pair of back-to-back race meetings.
Although Lorenzo may be down but not yet out in the title race, the Spaniard started as he meant to continue by posting a lap time of 2:02.180, just 64 thousandths of a second quicker than Australian Grand Prix winner Casey Stoner's Ducati.
The Honda of Dani Pedrosa slipped into third place, ahead of Lorenzo's team-mate and Champion elect Rossi, who leads in the standings by 38 points but completed Friday over half a second slower than the Majorcan.
With the Italian able to clinch the title this weekend, temperatures in Kuala Lumpur reached highs of an immense 31°C (88°F). Andrea Dovizioso ensured that both Hondas made the top five as the Suzuki of Loris Capirossi confirmed that half of the top six is made up of Italian riders.
With Toni Elías aiming for seventh overall in this year's championship, the Gresini man finished practice in the same position with Americans Hayden and Edwards plus Australian Vermeulen rounding out the top ten. Britain's James Toseland started his penultimate MotoGP race weekend in 15th place as Aleix Espargaro, standing in for the injured Niccolò Canepa, finished the day as the last of the runners for Pramac.
The second and final hour-long practice session will commence at 9:55 local time (2:55 BST / 3:55 GMT).
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