The field for the 2007 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix got two free practice sessions on Friday to test out the newly repaved Laguna Seca Raceway track. With the track under clear blue skies, the consensus was mixed.
“The condition of the track is a lot, a lot better than last year. Is like another track,” Italian Valentino Rossi was quoted as saying after the first session. “Is always difficult, have always some bumps. But now is possible to try to ride the bike. Less, less bumps than last year and already the new asphalt have quite good grip, so is quite good start.”
However, Ducati’s Casey Stoner, the season point standings leader, offered a less enthusiastic view: "This morning we had a few difficulties getting used to the track. For sure, the conditions feel a lot worse than they did last year. The surface is maybe a little better, but the bumps are worse. The track is really bumpy now.”
Even so, Stoner led the timesheets after the two sessions with a fast lap of 1:22.997 with Honda Gresini’s Marco Melandri close behind at 1:23.177. Americans John Hopkins (1:23.452) and Colin Edwards (1:23.535) were third and fourth, while two-time defending Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix champion, Nicky Hayden, was eighth fastest.
A third practice session is scheduled for Saturday morning, followed by qualifying in the early afternoon.
| Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Casey Stoner | Ducati Marlboro Team | 1:22.997 |
| Marco Melandri | Honda Gresini | 1:23.177 |
| John Hopkins | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | 1:23.452 |
| Colin Edwards | Fiat Yamaha Team | 1:23.535 |
| Dani Pedrosa | Repsol Honda Team | 1:23.548 |
| Valentino Rossi | Fiat Yamaha Team | 1:23.550 |
| Chris Vermeulen | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | 1:23.576 |
| Nicky Hayden | Repsol Honda Team | 1:23.768 |
| Loris Capirossi | Ducati Marlboro Team | 1:23.912 |
| Makoto Tamada | Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha | 1:23.965 |
