Dani Pedrosa drew first blood during this afternoon’s free practice at the Sachsenring. The Honda HRC rider for the first time this year has lead a Friday free practice putting down a best lap on the hot German track of 1′22″521, confirming a blazing fourth sector.

Following Pedrosa were the two factory Ducati riders, Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden who look extremely at ease on the twisty track. Stoner who led most of the session closed out his best time just 0.274s from Pedrosa while Hayden made a late lunge to finish in third.

An impressive practice hour for Ben Spies, riding for the first time on this track finished in fourth ahead of both factory Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. Another surprise was Marco Simoncelli who took a fifth place, confirming that this track is one of his favourites having already won twice during his 250cc years.

Jorge Lorenzo and the current points leader could only manage a sixth place and was a little more than seven tenths from top spot. Valentino Rossi was seventh. The nine time world champion is making his comeback after missing the last four races due to a broken right leg, was able to put in 29 laps with an inital run of 7 laps and he was only 022s from his team mate.

Randy de Puniet took eighth followed by Marco Melandri and Andrea Dovizioso who suffered a technical issue at the beginnning of the session, closed out the top ten.

Alex de Angelis also returned to MotoGP action. The Sammarinese is subbing for injured Hiroshi Aoyama at Interwetten Honda. De Angelis finished the session 17th and last, but he’s coming to grips with 2010 Honda after spending two years in Team Gresini.

MotoGP Sachsenring FP1 Results:

01- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 1′22.521
02- Casey Stoner – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – + 0.274
03- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – + 0.462
04- Ben Spies – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.668
05- Marco Simoncelli – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 0.683
06- Jorge Lorenzo – Fiat Yamaha Team – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.703
07- Valentino Rossi – Fiat Yamaha Team – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.723
08- Randy De Puniet – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC212V – + 0.739
09- Marco Melandri – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 0.769
10- Andrea Dovizioso – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – + 0.879
11- Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – + 0.901
12- Aleix Espargaro – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – + 0.909
13- Colin Edwards – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.919
14- Loris Capirossi – Rizla Suzuki MotoGP – Suzuki GSV-R – + 1.068
15- Hector Barbera – Paginas Amarillas Aspar – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – + 1.078
16- Alvaro Bautista – Rizla Suzuki MotoGP – Suzuki GSV-R – + 1.499
17- Alex De Angelis – Interwetten Honda MotoGP – Honda RC212V – + 1.580

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