Phillip Island, 3 October: Changeable spring weather was the main factor in today’s opening free practice for the Australian Grand Prix, with LCR Honda MotoGP rider Randy de Puniet finishing fifth overall. The Frenchman posted his fastest lap of 1’31.070 in the morning first free session which was held in the dry with track temperature of 27°C. .

Then, rain-shower fell in the afternoon at the 4.448 Km racetrack (the asphalt temperature was just 15°C) so the premier class riders focused their job mainly on tyre testing. The 27-year-old aboard the Michelin-shod Honda RC212V set impressive lap times in the wet but made a mistake at 10 minutes to go crashing out in turn eight.
Luckily Randy escaped unhurt from the incident and will be back on track tomorrow for the qualifying session that is likely to be run in wet conditions.

De Puniet – 5th: “This morning I lapped consistently fast in the dry and we found a good overall package. I felt pretty satisfied about my pace but in the afternoon the conditions changed completely. Anyway we started with good lap times in the wet as well even if the rear tyre was to soft and I had to come in after few laps to change it. When I came out to improve my lap time, we used a harder compound in the rear and I made a mistake in turn 8. I pushed to much and the tyre was not warm enough so lost the rear and went out in the grass. I want to give my apologies to the Team because it was also dangerous for my wrist”.

Free Practice 1:

1 Stoner (1’30.094)
2 Rossi (1’30.764)
3 De Angelis (1’31.043)
4 Dovizioso (1’31.051)
5 De Puniet (1’31.070)
6 Pedrosa (1’31.161)
7 Nakano (1’31.221)
8 Lorenzo (1’31.235)
9 Capirossi (1’31.248)
10 Toseland (1’31.277)
11 Hayden (1’31.284)
12 Edwards (1’31.368)
13 Guitnoli (1’31.532)
14 Vermeulen (1’31.719)
15 Melandri (1’31.803)
16 Hopkins (1’31.814)
17 West (1’32.211)
18 Elias (1’32.415)