Shanghai, 2 May 2008: the 800cc riders were back on track today at Shanghai International circuit for the Pramac Grand Prix of China first day of free practices which saw Rossi on the top of the timesheets with a best lap of 1’59.906. Warm temperature (25°) and sunny skies welcomed the premier class rider today but the weather forecast say that the race could be ridden in the wet.

The LCR Honda MotoGP rider Randy De Puniet struggled a bit in his first exit at the Chinese track aboard the Michelin-shod Honda RC212V ending the first day of practices in 16th position. Since the first laps in the morning, the Frenchman did not get the right feeling on his machine but the Team is working hard to adjust the bike for tomorrow’s qualifying session.

De Puniet – 16th: “It was a very difficult day for us. Since the first laps of this morning session the feeling was very bad especially on the front-end. We worked hard to fix the things for the second session but, unfortunately, the bike did not improve and I was not able to go faster. I feel frustrated about this but I know that my Team is working hard with Michelin and Honda to solve the problems for tomorrow. This result do not show our real potential and I am confident for the rest of the week end”.

Combined Free Session:

1 Rossi (1’59.906)
2 Stoner (2’00.163)
3 Pedrosa (2’00.361)
4 Nakano (2’00.553)
5 Hopkins (2’00.591)
6 Hayden (2’00.607)
7 De Angelis (2’00.931)
8 Capirossi (2’00.964)
9 Dovizioso (2’00.974)
10 Edwards (2’01.064)
11 Elias (2’01.326)
12 Vermeulen (2’01.504)
13 Toseland (2’01.798)
14 Melandri (2’01.913)
15 West (2’01.984)
16 De Puniet (2’02.026)
17 Guintoli (2’02.348)
18 Lorenzo (2’02.480)