Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner made an impressive start to the Valencia Grand Prix weekend with the fifth fastest time in today’s free practice sessions. Stoner posted his fastest lap of 1’33.019 in the afternoon session, just a fraction faster than the track record held by Marco Melandri. Stoner, 21, was the second fastest Honda rider, less than one tenth of a second behind world championship contender Nicky Hayden who was fourth.

The LCR team did not get involved in an early battle for fast times using qualifying tyres today, preferring to focus on set-up for the demands of Sunday’s 30 lap race at the 4 km, stadium-style Valencia track. Conditions were warm and dry for opening practice in the build-up to the final race of the season which is already a sell-out.

“This was a positive first day of practice because Casey is close to the top times on race tyres -- we did not use a qualifying tyre today. Our main focus is to find the compromise between the suspension and the tyres for the special demands of this track”.

“Overall it has been a good day, especially this afternoon when I concentrated on tyre testing for the race and did not worry about chasing a fast time. I struggled a little in the first session, the front was a running wide a little and I had some rear grip problems on the left side. After some small changes the bike improved in the afternoon and I just concentrated on tyre testing. Some of the left corners here don’t have a lot of grip so I am looking for the best tyre choice -- some tyres are working good on left side but not the right, and vice versa”.