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Stoner fastest (again) at Valencia practice

Posted by Staff
Friday, 02 November 2007
Chasing a record points total for a single season this weekend, 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner was the fastest rider in the combined practice standings for the Gran Premio bwin.com de la Comunitat Valenciana on day one in Spain. The Australian was the only rider to go round in under 1’32, clocking his best time of 1’32.968 in the afternoon session. Said time was just over a second ahead of closest rival Sylvain Guintoli, who was using a Dunlop qualifying tyre for his Yamaha M1 in the second outing of the day. Stoner ran off track late on, shortly followed by current runner-up spot occupant Valentino Rossi. Home rider Dani Pedrosa was the third fastest, ahead of Marco Melandri, Chris Vermeulen and Randy de Puniet in a top six consisting of as many different teams, five different bikes and three different tyre manufacturers. Riding what is likely to be his last MotoGP race this weekend, Alex Barros was seventh and just over half a second slower than Stoner’s marker. The Brazilian headed the two riders who commanded all the attention last year at Valencia as the title went down to the wire; Rossi and 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. The latter has adorned his leathers with the words ‘Last Call’ for his final race using the number one plate. John Hopkins completed the top ten as he prepares for his last race for Suzuki, whilst Briton Chaz Davies failed to appear for the afternoon session after injuring himself in a morning crash. At the scene of the final race of the 2007 season, four important figures from the MotoGP paddock unveiled the trophy for which the riders will be competing in 2008. Attending the public unveiling of the silver trophy were FIM President Vito Ippolito and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, alongside former premier class World Champions Kevin Schwantz and Alex Criville. Both of the ex-riders have their own spot on the trophy with their names engraved, as do the other 57 winners of the top prize in motorcycle competition. Speaking to the gathered media and photographers, Mr. Ezpeleta explained the motive behind the change in form for the MotoGP trophy, designed by Barcelona’s Marc Garcia. “With the introduction of the MotoGP class in 2002, we decided to hand out a special trophy in addition to that provided by the FIM. We have now done the same for the change to the 800cc class, which came into effect this year,” stated Mr. Ezpeleta. “We consider the new design important, reflecting the important history of the championship alongside the exciting new era. It was important for us that we have a ‘living part’ of the trophy, that riders can add to and change every year.”

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