Stoner dominates both practice sessions

World champion Casey Stoner has dominated both
practice sessions ahead of Sunday's Australian
Motorcycle Grand Prix despite taking a tumble from
his Ducati.

Stoner fell at the slow Honda corner after returning
to the second session following a rain break but was
unhurt.

Showers interrupted both practice periods but the
21-year-old Australian topped the timesheets early
in dry conditions.

He set a best time of one minute 31.286 seconds in
the second period - a little over a tenth of a second
slower than in the opening run.

Defending Australian GP winner Marco Melandri
climbed to second quickest in the afternoon session
ahead of the Honda of Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.

Five-time world champion Valentino Rossi could
manage only third fastest in the first session and
fourth in the second.

Kawasaki's Anthony West was the next best
Australian rider after Stoner, setting a lap time of
1:32.459.

Fellow Queenslander Chris Vermeulen, second in
this round last year, struggled on his Suzuki to be
10th fastest in the morning, dropping to 14th in the
afternoon. theage.com.au - photos from
roadracingworld.com & yamaha-racing.com