Lorenzo fastest at Jerez day one

Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo was the fastest rider on the first day of the official MotoGP Test at Jerez in Spain, but only fractionally ahead of his teammate Valentino Rossi and Australia's Casey Stoner (Marlboro Ducati).

Lorenzo led the way with a 1:39.791, which he recorded in the 97th lap of a marathon 99-lap workout at the popular circuit in the south of Spain.

That put him 0.070secs ahead of Rossi, and set him up nicely for Sunday's BMW M Award session, where the fastest rider will win a BMW car.

Stoner won it last year, and will be in with a big shot of making it two on the trot after setting a best lap of 1:39. 906, fractionally behind Rossi's best of 1:39.861.

Stoner's compatriot Chris Vermeulen was fourth, the Rizla Suzuki man continuing his good preseason form with a best effort 0.781secs down on Lorenzo's pace.

"It's been good to come back to a track like Jerez because it is very different to Malaysia and Qatar where we have already tested this year," said Vermeulen. "We didn't come to the test here last year - like the other teams did - and for us to get mostly a dry day today was very important and it has proved that the new bike has definitely taken a step forward at all kinds of circuits.

"We've have been consistently fast more than we were last year and the bike feels a lot easier to ride. We had a good day today and tried a lot of parts and found a good base setting for this track. We still have a bit of work to do to catch the front guys - who did some very fast times today.

"My guys will look at today's data and hopefully make the necessary improvements to make sure I can challenge for that new car in the afternoon!"

The experienced pair of Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) ended up fifth and sixth respectively, both within a second of topping the timesheet.

Completing the top 10 were Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda), Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini), Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) and Toni Elias (San Carlo Honda Gresini). De Angelis suffered a crash in the afternoon, despite conditions improving as the day proceeded after a wet start, but he was unhurt.

James Toseland was 11th fastest, the Englishman looking much more comfortable on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 M1 machine after a hitherto nightmare preseason.

Hayate Racing's Marco Melandri will be pleased to have lapped 12th fastest, even though he was 1.369secs down on Lorenzo's best time. The Italian was not lapping in podium pace, but will still be satisfied to have discovered a relatively competitive rhythm.

Meanwhile, although returning veteran Sete Gibernau was 16th overall and nearly two seconds off the pace, as he continues to struggle with a shoulder complaint.

Test times
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1:39.791
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1:39.861
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 1:39.906
4. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:40.572
5. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:40.579
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:40.650
7. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda 1:40.821
8. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:40.900
9. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 1:40.987
10. Toni Elias (SPA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:41.049
11. James Toseland (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:41.122
12. Marco Melandri (ITA) Hayate Racing Team 1:41.160
13. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1:41.168
14. Mika Kallio (FIN) Pramac Racing 1:41.226
15. Yuki Takahashi (JPN) Scot Racing Team 1:41.362
16. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Grupo Francisco Hernando 1:41.737
17. Niccolo Canepa (ITA) Pramac Racing 1:41.851

Lap record:  Dani Pedrosa - 1:40.116, 2008
Best lap: Lorenzo - 1:38.189, 2008

The BMW M Award session will be broadcast live on the internet here.