MotoGP: Stoner fastest in first practice

Casey Stoner continued where he left off in Germany, by setting the fastest time in the first free practice session for the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring. The Ducati rider once again dominated and his time of 1:22.318 was three tenths clear of Alex de Angelis, who was second quickest on the Gresini Honda. The San Marino rider has flattered to deceive on several occasions this year, going fast on Friday only to have faded by Sunday. This time his free practice pace was good enough to bump Valentino Rossi down to third. World championship leader Dani Pedrosa was fourth on the first factory Honda, with Andrea Dovizioso and Shinya Nakano on satellite RC212Vs, just behind him. Colin Edwards was seventh on the Tech 3 Yamaha, but his teammate James Toseland did not fare so well. The Englishman fell heavily in the early... [read full story]