As the MotoGP field took to the popular circuit in the Czech Republic it was a tight affair, as Pedrosa was just over one tenth ahead of his fellow compatriot Jorge Lorenzo. Soon to be Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso, who again has proven to be a strong contender on his satellite Yamaha machine, was less than a tenth behind the Spaniard.The fact that Australian Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner wil not be racing this weekend and his early formt, already make Dovizioso a possible contender for yet another podium this season.
His British team mate Cal Crutchlow will however look to spoil the party as he hunts his first ever step on the rostrum. Crutchlow was on the pace this morning finishing in fourth, narrowly ousting American Yamaha rider Ben Spies into fifth. The Texan hopes to avoid any mechanical failures, which have put paid to his last two races in his homecountry.
Spanish San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista posted his fastest time in sixth, as the Spaniard looks to build on his good result in Indianapolis just a week ago.
Italian Ducati rider Valentino Rossi, who won seven times at the Brno circuit, finished in seventh place, ahead of German LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl.
French Power Electronics Aspar rider Randy de Puniet was the highest placed CRT rider in ninth, followed by Colombian Avintia Blusens rider Yonny Hernandez in tenth, who crashed out of the session with 12 minutes to go.
Italian Came IodaRacing Project rider Danilo Petrucci also experienced a crash early on, with Petrucci fortunately walking away unscathed. The session was red-flagged briefly half way through, as loose debris was cleared from the final turn. Pedrosa’s foot was hit by some debris kicked up by Rossi’s bike early in the session, causing the Spaniard to limp slightly as he returned to the pits.
