DANI PEDROSA/Repsol Honda Team was fastest in the raining hour-long MotoGP session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first top-tier class on-track session in the 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP. His fastest lap of 1:51.507 was turned early on, on Lap Six of his 16 laps.
On cue, after the previous 125cc session, the rain came down and the riders dealt with rooster tails. It was showery more than rainy. Not all riders ventured out at the same time. The temperature dropped to 75 degrees F.
The MotoGP motorcycles have full traction control, but I’m told they don’t like it and that could change for next year. They also have launch control and other electronic aids. They now have more such assists than Formula One cars.
Pedrosa led the entire session, and all 17 riders were on course. Five of them are Italian, four are Spanish, two Americans, and one each from Australia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary and the Republic of San Marino.
American rider NICKY HAYDEN/Ducati Team was second, turning his fastest lap on his final circuit, finishing after the checkered flag flew. His time of 1:51.602 was on Lap 24. He had been between sixth and eighth fastest for much of the session.
Points leader VALENTINO ROSSI/Fiat Yamaha Team was third fastest. His teammate, JORGE LORENZO was fourth, followed by ALEX de ANGELIS/San Carlo Honda Gresini.
Repeat after me. My name Jorge LORENZO, not Lamas.
The other Yank rider, COLIN EDWARDS/Monster Yamaha Tech 3, was eighth fastest.
For the second race in a row, MIKA KALLIO of Finland is replacing CASEY STONER, Hayden’s teammate, while Stoner recuperates during his self-imposed medical hiatus. Kallio was eleventh fastest.
Newcomer to MotoGP, ALEIX ESPARGARO of Spain, who is replacing Kallio on the Pramac Racing Team, was fifteenth fastest.
Some of the riders had plastic covers over their leathers during the showery session.