The MotoGP crowd returned to action after several weeks to the Portuguese circuit of Estoril, and the reigning top four championship protagonists returned to their usual positions atop the leaderboard. Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo led throughout practice, steadily lowering his times despite challenges from his teammate and championship points leader Valentino Rossi, and Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa. Casey Stoner returned from his self-imposed two-month racing sabbatical with little rust, as he quickly got back up to speed and clearly established himself as one the riders to beat. Colin Edwards slotted into fifth position right at the end of the session, with Nicky Hayden seemingly struggling once again with the Ducati as he finished the session in 11th, right behind satellite Ducati rider Mika Kalllio.
Practice results
- 1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha 1:37.185
- 2. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 1:37.544
- 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 1:37.606
- 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 1:37.966
- 5. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 1:38.103
- 6. Andrea Dovisioso (ITA) Honda 1:38.244
- 7. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Honda 1:38.385
- 8. James Toseland (GBR) Yamaha 1:38.591
- 9. Alex De Angelis (RSM) Honda 1:38.629
- 10. Mika Kallio (FIN) Ducati 1:38.661