World champion Jorge Lorenzo and Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi laid down early markers on Thursday when they set the fastest times in first practice for the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix. Under the Losail floodlights, Lorenzo clocked 1min 55.440sec with nine-time world champion Rossi 0.267sec off the pace. The Ducatis of Andrea Iannone and Hector Barbera were third and fourth fastest at 0.296sec and 0.370sec behind Lorenzo. However, the Honda machines of Dani Pedrosa and two-time champion Marc Marquez were only seventh and eighth on the time-sheets, a disappointing start for a team which is traditionally Yamaha's greatest rivals. "I had a good start. From the first run I was able...
Full Story »