MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Either Yamaha have found a solution to their problems, or the cold weather is reducing grip enough for the Yamaha not to suffer its usual chatter. This afternoon's session was another Yamaha 1-2, this time with Texan Tornado Colin Edwards taking top spot after leading throughout the session, followed closely by team mate Valentino Rossi. 2/10ths behind Rossi we have Nakano on the Kawasaki and Hopkins on the Rizla Suzuki. Le Mans is the Kawasaki's home test track, so it's no real surprise to see Harald Eckl's Green Machine doing well here. Hopkins is obviously on a roll, from his excellent fourth place in Shanghai.

Young Australian Casey Stoner is the first Honda on the sheet, an unleashed Makoto Tamada not far behind. Interesting that two client RC211Vs should be the top Hondas. Three thousandths behind Tamada, in seventh spot, is Sete Gibernau, in a Ducati 1-2 with team mate Loris Capirossi. Pedrosa, Melandri and Hayden follow on the HRC supported Hondas, followed by Randy de Puniet on the other Kawasaki. Kenny Roberts Junior is down in 15th, with Chris Vermeulen behind him on the second Suzuki. Vermeulen is at another new track this weekend, and it will be interesting to see how fast he learns, having shaved over a second off his time from this morning's session.