MotoGP Laguna Seca Saturday Practice

Morning practice kicked off with Marlboro Ducati’s Casey Stoner leading the way the majority of the session, quickly dropping into the 1:21-range. He was the only rider to do so until Jorge Lorenzo stole the top spot from him at the very end. Stoner ended the session with a 1:21.835 to Lorenzo’s 1:21.799, which Lorenzo did on the final lap to take the top spot. Stoner looked visibly distressed to lose the lead so late in the session.

Behind Stoner was Lorenzo’s Fiat Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi at 1:22.177. San Carlo Honda’s Toni Elias was a surprise fourth with a 1:22.367, which he did mid-way through the session. Factory Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso rounded out the top-five with a best time of 1:22.552.

Guys were on the gas and trying hard as multiple riders hit the ground this morning. Colin Edwards, Chris Vermeulen and Nicky Hayden all had get-offs during the session. Thankfully, all riders got up right away and appeared to be okay.

Hayden fell off with 10 minutes remaining in the session and was running in the ninth position at the time, which is where he ended up. He was as high as fifth in the early going and appears to have found some more snap coming off the corners out of his Ducati, which the past-winner said yesterday his bike was missing.

Vermeulen hit the ground once again for his second fall in as many practices this weekend. He lost the front end in the fast, downhill Turn 10 at the very end of the session. He was running eighth at the time, which is where he ended up.

RESULTS
1. Jorge Lorenzo 1:21.799
2. Casey Stoner 1:21.835
3. Valentino Rossi 1:22.177
4. Toni Elias 1:22.367
5. Andrea Dovizioso 1:22.552
6. Dani Pedrosa 1:22.561
7. Colin Edwards 1:22.781
8. Chris Vermeulen 1:22.917
9. Nicky Hayden 1:22.935
10. James Toseland 1:23.127
11. Alex de Angelis 1:23.368
12. Randy de Puniet 1:23.451
13. Marco Melandri 1:23.452
14. Sete Gibernau 1:23.849
15. Loris Capirossi 1:23.951
16. Gabor Talmacsi 1:24.114
17. Niccolo Canepa 1:24.202