The first session of practice at the Montmelo circuit produced a few surprises this morning. Kenny Roberts Jr heads the times, ahead of Colin Edwards, Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi. Suzuki's John Hopkins set the fifth time, ahead of Loris Capirossi on the Ducati, and Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden. A big surprise in 8th is Carlos Checa on the Dunlop-shod Tech 3 Yamaha. Checa had set excellent times during the IRTA test in March, and is carrying on here. Marco Melandri is 9th, followed by the Australian pairing of Casey Stoner and Chris Vermeulen. A brace of Catalans follow, Toni Elias ahead of Sete Gibernau. The Kawasakis follow, Shinya Nakano ahead of Randy de Puniet. Makoto Tamada is a disappointing 16th, followed by the d'Antin pairing of Jose Luis Cardoso and Alex Hofmann, James Ellison bringing up the rear. Times are close, the top 11 all inside one second, the top 15 all inside a second and a half.
