Stoner breaks Sachsenring record
Added on Friday, July 11th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Stoner breaks Sachsenring record
Casey Stoner broke the Sachsenring lap record in practice today despite a 120mph crash in Germany.
The world champion dominated the session to post a time of 1:21.582 and top the practice lap times at the Sachsenring
Gresini Honda rider Alex de Angelis posted the day’s second fastest time – ahead of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi who were third and fourth fastest respectively.
Stoner wasn’t the only rider to crash out on the predominantly dry track however, with Edwards, Dani Pedrosa, James Toseland, Andrea Dovizioso and Anthony West all tumbling.
Stoner, winner of the last two races, said the result in practice was down to the hard work of the Ducati technicians.
“We are out there and putting our arses on the line all the time as you have seen today,” said the Australian. We are doing the best job we all can and we have just managed to find a real good package for me. The team and everybody are working so well.”
Stoner also took the time to explain the track, pointing the finger at the front tyres.
“This morning we were really struggling with the front tyre,” said Stoner, who despite his accident dominated the session. “The rear was working really well, but basically only got nine laps out of the front.
“We changed the bike quite a lot for this afternoon and now we have absolutely no problems. We used the same tyre for the whole session.
“It was the left side of the tyre [we were having problems with] but I crashed on the right. It was a little bit strange because I hadn’t had a warning through that corner, or any of the right-hand corners through the whole session, and then it just decided to go as I was starting to pick the bike up to head down the hill. You are not really over a long way there, but it sure hurts when you crash!
“The problem is that the only part that hurt me was the Tarmac. I have got burns on my elbows and my leg, so we will have to see how they are when I take my leathers off.
