After yesterday’s wet FP2, this morning at Silverstone, the MotoGP riders found some glorious sunny weather that saw Casey Stoner lead the field, only that the others started to catch up especially Marco Simoncelli.
The Italian headed the timesheets in the final minutes of the session which forced the Repsol Honda rider to put in a final fast lap and re-take the top spot and leave the Gresini rider two tenths adrift, but the Australian would have been even faster if Nicky Hayden didn’t baulk him and get one Stoner’s now well known reactions.
Ben Spies was third and ahead of his team mate and reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, while Cal Crutchlow brought in another Yamaha M1 into the top five and only two tenths slower than the factory riders.
Andrea Dovizioso took the sixth spot and he was the last rider within a second from the seemingly unstoppable Stoner.
Nicky Hayden was seventh and 1.
7 seconds off pace and the first and only Ducati in the top ten, while team mate Valentino Rossi is in back field hell.
The Italian is mired down in 14th and nearly three seconds slower and almost eight tenths slower than the amazing 10th placed Colin Edwards, who broke his collarbone just eight days ago.
MotoGP Silverstone FP3 results.
01- Casey Stoner – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 2’03.
48702- Marco Simoncelli – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 0.
23303- Ben Spies – Yamaha Factory Racing Team – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.
45504- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing Team – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.
61205- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.
82706- Andrea Dovizioso – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – + 0.
88507- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 1.
76308- Alvaro Bautista – Rizla Suzuki MotoGP – Suzuki GSV-R – + 2.
00909- Hiroshi Aoyama – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 2.
08310- Colin Edwards – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 2.
10211- Randy De Puniet – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 2.
29312- Karel Abraham – Cardion AB Motoracing – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 2.
38513- Hector Barbera – Mapfre Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 2.
49314- Valentino Rossi – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 2.
94915- Toni Elias – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC212V – + 3.
24016- Loris Capirossi – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 3.
888
A 19-year-old student dies suddenly on campus, prompting support for the community.
A 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after a stabbing on Elgin High Street, prompting police investigations.
The Met Office warns of significant snowfall and icy conditions in the coming days.
A tragic incident in Fort William leads to murder charges against a teenager.
A heartfelt appeal for support emerges following the tragic death of a beloved mother.
3t training centre leads the way in survival skills for oil and gas workers.
A strange object in the sky sparks speculation among residents and experts alike.
Local authorities tackle a shed fire in Dundas Street, Stromness.
Authorities investigate a dispute involving a customer at a local pub.
Aberdeen secures victory over Rangers in a nail-biting penalty shootout at P&J Live.