MotoGP: Stoner fastest in Sachsenring practice
Australian world champion smashes outright lap record while setting quickest time of practice session
CASEY STONER set the fastest time in the second practice session at the Sachsenring, bagging the time just two-thirds of the way through the session.
The defending World Champion smashed the outright lap record at the German track, beating Dani Pedrosa's previous record, which was set on a Honda 990cc RCV211. But despite his blistering form Stoner crashed in the final few minutes, losing the front of his bike on the downhill right hander at the twisty track.
As Stoner and his Ducati parted company at 120mph, the Aussie was sent sliding across the Tarmac. He was relatively unhurt in the spill though, saying: "I've got burns on my elbows from sliding along the track but otherwise I'm OK.
"We were having some problems with the front tyre early on, we could get no more than nine laps out of it. We've made a change here today and things are good again."
James Toseland had another gravel trap moment at the end of practice, following his fall in the first session this morning. Thankfully he managed to stay on this time, setting the 16th fastest time of the day.
Official MotoGP Session 2 Practice Times:
1 Casey Stoner Ducati MotoGP 1:21.582
2 Alex De Angelis Honda Gresini 1:21.993
3 Colin Edwards Yamaha Tech3 1:22.463
4 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Factory 1:22.796
5 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory 1:22.894
6 Shinya Nakano Honda Gresini 1:22.922
7 Daniel Pedrosa Honda HRC 1:22.974
8 Nicky Hayden Honda HRC 1:22.975
9 Andrea Dovizioso Honda Scot 1:23.093
10 Randy De Puniet Honda LCR 1:23.116
11 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati d Antin 1:23.209
12 Loris Capirossi Suzuki MotoGP 1:23.274
13 Antonio Elias Ducati d Antin 1:23.366
14 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki MotoGP 1:23.411
15 Anthony West Kawasaki Racing 1:23.452
16 James Toseland Yamaha Tech3 1:23.698
17 Marco Melandri Ducati MotoGP 1:23.864
