Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli has set the fastest times in both MotoGP free practice sessions at Estoril today, beating still opposition from reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo and his compatriot Dani Pedrosa to lead by 0.61s.
The big-haired Italian was fastest this morning with Lorenzo trailing and the song remained the same in the afternoon session depsite crashing at the midpoint. Simoncelli lapped in 1'37.663 with Lorenzo on a 1'37.724 and Pedrosa's Repsol Honda only 0.003s further back.
Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi set the equal-fourth fastest time with arch-rival Casey Stoner. They both lapped in 1'38.102 but Stoner spent a lot of time in the pits during both sessions.
Monster Yamaha's Colin Edwards was sixth quickest and a tenth off the two former champions while Karel Abraham shocked the paddock with his seventh quickest time. Americans Ben Spies and Nicky Hayden have some work to do tomorrow whie Hector Barbera rounds out the top ten.
Britain's Cal Crutchlow finished in 13th place after the second outing, just over a second off the pace.
