2010 MotoGP - Estoril Photo Gallery

Ducati's Nicky Hayden began his weekend well in Portugal by posting the second-quickest time behind Jorge Lorenzo.

Casey Stoner: "“We feel we could and should have been faster today but we struggled for some reason with edge grip. When I picked up the bike the traction was good but on the edge it wasn't. We also had some problems with the front brakes and I was having to adjust in every corner. Having said that, we're quite happy."

Jorge Lorenzo outpaced Nicky Hayden by 0.135 seconds in the second practice session at Estoril.

Valentino Rossi made it into the top-three and was the last rider to have a sub 1’49 lap.

In his first practice filling in for Mika Kallio, World Superbike's Carlos Checa took 17th in the books while reaquainting himself with a GP bike.

Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso experienced a difficult session back in ninth during the second practice on Friday.

Nicky Hayden: "We know the Ducati works well in the rain because the engine management system is good and that gives us a lot of control. Lately I've been quite fast in wet conditions but it takes me too long to get there. If it's a wet race on Sunday and I'm going to be competitive then we need to be fast from the start so that's an area we need to work on if it rains again tomorrow.”

Dani Pedrosa: "Straight away I felt much better on the bike here [Estoril] than I did in Australia and the shoulder has recovered a lot, which is very positive.”

Valentino Rossi: "This afternoon was a normal wet practice and I'm happy about my performance. I am close to the top, was fast from the beginning of the session and had a good feeling with the bike."

Ben Spies mastered another difficult track under wet conditions on Friday, taking the fifth-fastest lap at Estoril.

Ducati's Casey Stoner took fourth in Estoril's practice session.

After a mediocre performance during practice, Aussie Casey Stoner will continue to look for advances in his setup prior to Sunday's race at Estoril.

Hiroshi Aoyama: "Unfortunately qualifying was cancelled. We wanted to try some adjustments on the bike and try to improve the lap times. But I think that the decision made was right, as it is quite risky to go out in these conditions. Tomorrow we will have to see what we can improve in warm-up. Normally I prefer a dry race, but this time I think it would be better if we have a wet race.”

LCR Honda's Randy de Puniet will start Sunday's race at Estoril from the third row.

Andrea Dovizioso made vast improvements with his electronics on Saturday which allowed him to run faster. Unfortunately, he will have to start Sunday's contest from seventh on the grid.

Ducati's Nicky Hayden will have an excellent chance at earning another podium after qualifying second on the grid.

Jorge Lorenzo will take his seventh start from pole position this season after weather complicated things at Estoril.

San Carlo Honda's Marco Melandri struggled getting comfortable aboard his bike in dry condidtions, but in the rain he claimed his first second-row start of the season.

Dani Pedrosa: "We were improving step-by-step this morning in terms of my lap times and my position and I think we could have continued that this afternoon, so it’s a pity the qualifying session was cancelled – although of course there was no alternative. At the beginning of the morning session I didn’t feel particularly confident on the machine but I decided with the team to stay out and keep lapping to get more time on the bike. It was a good decision because we made some good progress in the second half of the session."

Valentino Rossi had the third-fastest time set during practice and as a result will begin from the front row on Sunday.

Marco Simoncelli set his best time on Saturday morning despite less than ideal conditions at Estoril. He will start from 10th on the grid.

Aussie Casey Stoner took fourth from his combined practice times and will start from the second row at Estoril.

Gabor Talmacsi will start from first on the grid after achieving his first pole position this season at Estoril.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards will start from ninth on the grid after a combined practice time of 1'50.313.

Qualifying at Estoril was cancelled on Saturday due to poor weather.

Nicky Hayden - Estoril 2010

It was a difficult task staying warm under the grey skies at Estoril, but these girls appear to be making the best of it.

Jorge Lorenzo tied Jorge Martínez Aspar’s record of having the best qualification record with 42 pole postions in his world Championship career.

Qualifying at Estoril - 2010

Valentino Rossi: “We will have the warm up, and it may be better if there is rain because everybody has their set-up for this! I have a good wet setting on the bike, we tried a few small things today, and we have good potential in the wet. If it’s dry we will try anyway!”

Valentino Rossi attempting to stay dry at the wet Estoril circuit.

Casey Stoner - Estoril 2010

Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso (#4) won a tight battle with Marco Simoncelli (#58) for his seventh podium finish of the season.

American Nicky Hayden finished fifth at Estoril after starting from second on the grid.

Nicky Hayden (#69) was unable to hold off Marco Simoncelli (#58) and the Kentucky Kid finished more than half a second off the pace of Simoncelli in the end.

By winning Estoril Jorge Lorenzo confirmed the Triple Crown for Yamaha.

Jorge Lorenzo has now been undefeated at Estoril for three years after taking his eighth win of the season in Portugal.

Jorge Lorenzo now has an undefeated record at Estoril for the past three years in a row.

The start of the Moto 2 contest at Estoril - 2010

(from left to right): Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner at Round 17 of the 2010 MotoGP Championship - Estoril

Valentino Rossi (#46) had the lead in the beginning ahead of Jorge Lorenzo (#99), but as the track surface dried Rossi lost his advantage and the Spaniard was able to outpace him.

2010 MotoGP - Estoril Photo Gallery

See photos of the 2010 Estoril Grand Prix in the 2010 MotoGP Estoril photo gallery.