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Stoner bounces back with fastest free practice

Posted August 30, 2008 07:30:00

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner got off to a excellent start in free practice overnight to send a message to the field ahead of this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix.

The Australian Ducati rider posted a lap of 1 minute, 34.806 seconds to pip standings leader and local favourite Valentino Rossi.

Suzuki's Loris Capirossi - who is set to make a record 276th appearance in Sunday's race - came over half a second down on Stoner, while another veteran American Colin Edwards, was fourth.

Seven-time world champion Rossi won the last MotoGP outing in the Czech Republic, after Stoner spun off in the seventh lap.

The Italian now leads Stoner by 50 points in the championship, with Spain's luckless Dani Pedrosa in third with 172.

-AFP

Tags: sport, motor-sports, motogp, australia, san-marino