Stoner Leads Wet/Dry German GP Opening Practice

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, winner of the Red Bull USGP at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, got the opportunity to try out a new spec engine for his RC212V, designed to improve the machine's driveabilty and enhance power delivery in the middle of the powerband. "I have to say that at the beginning in the wet I took it easy after what happened last year (he crashed out of the lead and sustained injuries that affected the rest of his season), but actually, when I saw the rain before the session I thought, OK, we can pick up from where we left off and change the outcome," said Pedrosa. "We rode with the new engine today although, because of these mixed conditions, it wasn't really possible to draw definite conclusions - but the feeling was positive. We need more laps to fully evaluate the engine, so we'll continue with that tomorrow."

Current World MotoGP Championship leader Valentino Rossi finished in third position at the end of practice, and was feeling confident. "This was quite a strange session because we had all sorts of track conditions and then at the end it was basically dry and I was quite fast," said the Doctor. "It was a good chance to work on the rain setting and I am pretty happy because the bike felt good and our times were also quick on the wet track. It seems we have a good setting immediately here for all conditions, because it continued to feel good as the track dried and the nature of the asphalt changed. We have some things to improve, especially the feeling and general balance in the faster parts of the track, so we will concentrate on this tomorrow. Right at the end we had a bit of traffic or we could have been faster, but anyway we're still third so I think we are in good shape. It seems Bridgestone have brought good tires for this track, of course there is no intermediate tire which is always going to be a bit difficult in these sorts of conditions, but I don't think it was a big problem today."

Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo was still recovering from the injuries he suffered in a qualifying crash that still saw him qualify on pole, and finish a heroic third in the race at Mazda Raceway. "I am not at 100% and in fact my injuries don't feel as good as I had hoped on the bike, which is disappointing," confessed the Majorca native. "I have decided for the first time to use the leathers with the airbag and I want to say that I feel much more safe! This isn't the best track for me, the slow corners don't really suit my style and when I am not at full fitness it makes it more difficult, but today was okay considering the conditions. During the early part when it was wet I was reminding myself of the track, and then when it was dry later on I didn't really have enough time to go fast because we had some things to check on the setting. But there are 12 riders all very close together, within seven tenths of a second and I am not worried because it was a strange day and not one for making conclusions. The forecast tomorrow looks similar tomorrow but let's hope it is wrong!"