February 17th, 2008 by R.J.

It was a windy and wet day at the Spanish Circuito de Jerez, which made the times today about 10 seconds slower than yesterday’s results.

Stoner, aboard his Ducati Desmosedici GP8, took just 5 laps to set his fastest time of the session - 1:49.236 - and guarantee that the BMW Z4 M roadster would be headed home to Australia.

Rounding out the top three were Valentino Rossi (1:50.580) and Nicky Hayden (1:50.785). I predict this season is going to be a lot closer than last year.

Here are today’s results:

01.-Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro -1:49.263
02.-Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team -1:50.580
03.-Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda -1:50.785
04.-Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing -1:50.799
05.-Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP -1:51.312
06.-Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini -1:51.594
07.-Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP -1:51.894
08.-Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP -1:51.979
09.-Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team -1:52.058
10.-Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro -1:52.238
11.-Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini -1:52.463
12.-James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha -1:52.755
13.-Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki -1:52.779
14.-Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha -1:52.826
15.-Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing -1:53.283
16.-Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team -1:53.292
17.-Vittoriano Guareschi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team -1:54.694
18.-Niccolò Canepa (ITA) Ducati Test -1:57.453
19.-Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team -1:57.698