British MotoGP 2012 – First Friday Practice

Valentino Rossi set the fastest time in the first free practice of the MotoGP of Great Britain. He dominated the Silverstone Circuit with a time of 2:19.328 and led ahead of teammate Nicky Hayden. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Andrea Dovizioso came in third.

The weather conditions at Silverstone were not quite mild with low temperatures and rain. In the same conditions, Casey Stoner had taken the race victory last year. He came in fourth during the first free practice, ahead of Cal Crutchlow. Stefan Bradl made the most of his first ride with a MotoGP bike on the British track and set the sixth best time.

Stoner’s teammate Dani Pedrosa came in seventh ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. The top ten was completed by Alvaro Bautista and Hector Barbera. However, it did not all go well for Bautista as he crashed out of the session with only ten minutes remaining. Even more unfortunate was Ben Spies, who had crashed out just before Bautista and had to be taken to the medical center after injuring his wrist. Fortunately, the injury is suspected not to be very serious.

After final medical checks to his broken finger and cuts to his hand, Karel Abraham was misadvised to compete in the British MotoGP.