Stoner fastest at Valencia practice
Casey Stoner topped the practice times in Valencia as the MotoGP World Championship returned to action in a sombre mood after the death of Marco Simoncelli in Malaysia.
Simoncelli was killed at Sepang after losing control of his Gresini Honda and being hit by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, and the field of riders all carried various tributes to the Italian at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo on Friday, with many carrying his racing number 58 on their leathers and helmets.
As so often this season it was world champion Stoner who led the way upon his Repsol Honda, with his fastest time of one minute 45.513 seconds from a damp morning session being enough to top the timesheets as heavier rain ensured slower times during the afternoon.
The Australian headed team-mate Dani Pedrosa by 0.2 seconds while the damp conditions provided Ducati with a positive day after a difficult season with the problematic GP11.
Rossi and team-mate Nicky Hayden secured the third and fourth fastest times while Loris Capirossi, who will retire after making his 215th Grand Prix start at this weekend's season finale, was fifth on the customer Pramac Ducati.
Ben Spies was the top Yamaha rider in sixth place with Randy de Puniet and Tony Elias next up.
Andrea Dovizioso began his last weekend with Repsol Honda with ninth place, while the Italian's future team-mate, Britain's Cal Crutchlow, rounded out the top 10.
Hiroshi Aoyama, the sole Gresini rider in Simoncelli's absence, ended the day 14th of the 16 riders.
Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista topped the times in the wet second session, but was 11th overall.
Pedrosa: Valencia GP will be emotional
Dani Pedrosa admits the final race of the MotoGP season in Valencia this weekend will be an emotional one, especially after the passing of Marco Simoncelli.
The Repsol Honda rider reveals the Valencia Grand Prix is one of his favourite circuits, considering its home factor and the fact that it is the last race of the season.
However, Pedrosa also believes this year's race will be even more emotionally-charged following the death of Simoncelli at the Malaysian Grand Prix two weeks ago.
"It's [the Valencia Grand Prix] the last race of the championship and it comes with a mixture of emotions - the happiness of racing at home with the great atmosphere we always experience at Cheste, and in turn the sadness of the recent tragic death of our colleague Marco Simoncelli, keenly felt by all of us," Pedrosa said on the official Red Bull website.
"I could go on and talk more about the Valencia atmosphere for the last round of the World Championship, and how the fans there have always been behind us from day one.
"But this year it's going to be even more special and significant.
And while Pedrosa is still locked in a battle with Andrea Dovizioso for third place in the riders' standings, the Spaniard insists the focus will be on producing a race worthy of dedicating to Simoncelli's memory.
"Today [Thursday] we'll be at the circuit, working with the team to try to prepare for a brilliant race on Sunday, that people will enjoy and that everyone in the paddock can devote to Simoncelli."
Pedrosa's Repsol Honda team-mate Casey Stoner has already sealed this year's title after winning nine of the 16 races that have been contested, excluding the ill-fated Malaysian GP.
Dovizioso not focused at Valencia
Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso admits he is not in the "right frame of mind" to race at Valencia.
Simoncelli, 24, was killed in an accident during the early stages of the race in Sepang less than two weeks ago, with the Italian losing control of his Honda and being struck by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.
His death has cast a long shadow over the sport and Dovizioso, who is battling team-mate Dani Pedrosa for third in the championship, has spoken of a feeling of "emptiness" following the crash.
"I'm very sad for the loss of Marco. I'm going to Valencia not in the right frame of mind for a race. I will wear Marco's number 58 on the chest of my leathers, close to my heart, this is the only thing that counts," he said in a team statement.
"I have raced with Marco throughout my whole career, he was 'the rival' and now that he is no longer with us, he has left a big void and I want to convert this feeling of emptiness to determination."
Valencia will be Dovizioso's last race for Honda before he takes up a ride with the Tech 3 Yamaha team next season, and the former 125cc world champion hopes that he can manage to go out on a high, although he does not like the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
"I hope to get a good result at Valencia mainly because it is important for me to finish third in the championship but I know the race will be difficult as it is not one of my favourite circuits and Dani is very strong there," he said.
"Also, the Grand Prix of Valencia is my last race with Honda and I really would like to crown these 10 years together with a good final race".
World champion Casey Stoner, meanwhile, believes racing this weekend is the right way to honour Simoncelli's memory.
"It will be difficult to return to racing this weekend after Marco's terrible accident in Sepang but I think it is the best thing we can do to honour him," said the Australian.
"We know we all play a risky game and, even if compared to the past the safety of our sport is much better, unfortunately these kind of events still occur. My thoughts go out to his family and I hope that they are coping through this period."
Simoncelli's Gresini Honda team will race this weekend in tribute to their former rider, running just the one bike for his team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama.
But 2010 world champion Jorge Lorenzo will not be present after failing to sufficiently recover from the finger injury he suffered at the Australia Grand Prix.
Edwards, who suffered a broken collarbone in the crash at Sepang, also sits out the finale with American Superbike champion Josh Hayes set to step in for his MotoGP debut.
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