In scorching heat, preparations for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix got underway in Motegi today with four of Bridgestone’s five teams represented firmly in the top five of the combined classification. Honda’s Dani Pedrosa set a searing pace to lead the pack after the opening day, but seven Bridgestone-shod riders lock out positions two to eight, led by Kawasaki’s Randy de Puniet. Honda Gresini’s Marco Melandri had a strong first day setting the third best time ahead of Suzuki’s John Hopkins and championship-leader Casey Stoner who claimed an overall fifth place on his Ducati.
Preparations for this weekend’s Dutch TT got underway in dry conditions at the Assen circuit today with two highly competitive free practice sessions. Such was the fierce nature of the competition, all three tyre manufacturers had at least one bike in the top six, four bike manufacturers filled out the top four, eight different teams made their way into the top ten with just one second separating pace-setter Casey Stoner from 14th-placed rider Alex Hofmann. Two Bridgestone-shod riders led the way with Ducati’s Stoner, the only man to dip under 1m38s on the opening day, leading Kawasaki’s on-form Randy de Puniet who posted a succession of consistent laps to finish in second place. John Hopkins was eighth for Suzuki while Alex Barros completed the top ten aboard his Pramac d’Antin Ducati just 0.657s from Stoner. In what promises to be one of the most closely fought races of the season so far, all eyes will be on the skies as rain clouds are expected to develop during the course of the day.