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Despite the Sepang International circuit historically not being a Honda winning track, Dani Pedrosa continued his excellent form (two consecutive wins) was the fastest rider on track setting the benchmark with a best lap of 2.01.621 to top the timesheets.
He was closely followed by his team mate recovering Casey Stoner who seems to be in better shape this weekend and the Australian inserted himself in second and was 0.152s adrift and ahead of standings leader Jorge Lorenzo who was third but was losing time in the T4 sector on the slippery Malaysian track.
Yamaha Tech3 riders Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow were fourth and fifth ahead of Ben Spies. Stefan Bradl after testing the official RC213V at Motegi last Monday was seventh and last rider within one second of Pedrosa.
The fastest Ducati rider was Nicky Hayden in 8th who is recovering from his radius fracture, while Motegi podium finisher Alvaro Bautista was 9th ahead of Hector Barbera. Valentino Rossi had another disappointing start as he finished the session in 11th and a massive 1″654 off pace and he also ran off track at the final turn.
Karel Abraham was 12th and the last of the prototype riders and three seconds from Pedrosa, while top CRT rider was Randy de Puniet who just 0.048s ahead of his team mate Aleix Espargaro. Yonny Hernandez who is riding with a left collarbone and right foot injury was 19th.
MotoGP Sepang FP1 results:
01- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – 2’01.621
02- Casey Stoner – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 0.152
03- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.313
04- Andrea Dovizioso – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.615
05- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.645
06- Ben Spies – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.737
07- Stefan Bradl – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC213V – + 0.996
08- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP12 – + 1.133
09- Alvaro Bautista – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC213V – + 1.251
10- Hector Barbera – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP12 – + 1.600
11- Valentino Rossi – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP12 – + 1.653
02- Casey Stoner – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 0.152
03- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.313
04- Andrea Dovizioso – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.615
05- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.645
06- Ben Spies – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.737
07- Stefan Bradl – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC213V – + 0.996
08- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP12 – + 1.133
09- Alvaro Bautista – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC213V – + 1.251
10- Hector Barbera – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP12 – + 1.600
11- Valentino Rossi – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP12 – + 1.653
