Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa was on blistering pace before qualifying at the bwin Grand Prix České republiky after setting the fastest lap in final free practice in front of Ben Spies and Jorge Lorenzo.

Pedrosa’s lap of 1.56’209 was less than a tenth off the circuit record and over seven tenths ahead of Yamaha Factory Racing’s closest challenger Ben Spies, who left it until his final run to post his best time. Spies’ teammate Lorenzo, who was lapping consistently in the low 1.57s was unable to get close to Pedrosa’s top time with his hot lap at the end. Almost all riders were out on the softer option rear tyre, with track and ambient temperatures significantly lower than yesterday’s scorching temperatures.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Andrea Dovizioso won the battle of the satellite Yamahas this morning finishing just fractionally behind Lorenzo, and marginally ahead of teammate Cal Crutchlow, now confirmed with the Tech 3 squad for another year, who looked to have found that extra bit of pace since yesterday’s outing. Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi continued his and the team’s improved run of form finishing sixth, just over a second off Pedrosa. He narrowly edged out San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, who was the quickest of the satellite Hondas.

LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl could not quite match his fifth place from yesterday, but nonetheless looked strong, especially in the latter sectors of the track. Cardion AB Racing’s local rider Karel Abraham pleased his home fans by slotting his Desmosedici into ninth place, ahead of top CRT finisher Randy de Puniet on board his Power Electronics Aspar machine.

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