Stoner clocks fastest free practice at San Marino GP

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

SAN MARINO (AFP) — Reigning world champion Casey Stoner got off to a excellent start in Friday's free practice to send a message to the field ahead of this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix.

The Aussie Ducati rider posted a lap of 1min 34.806sec, to pip standings leader and local favourite Valentino Rossi, on a Yamaha.

Suzuki's Loris Capirossi - who is set to make a record 276th appearance in Sunday's race - came over half a second down on Stoner, while another veteran American Colin Edwards, on Yamaha, was fourth.

Seven-time world champion Rossi won the last MotoGP outing in the Czech Republic, after Stoner spun off in the seventh lap.

The Italian now leads Stoner by 50 points in the championship, with Spain's luckless Dani Pedrosa in third with 172.

© 2008 AFP

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