MotoGP Portugal : Rossi fastest in opeing practice

Valentino Rossi got off to the perfect start to his Portuguese Grand Prix weekend by setting the fastest time in the opening practice session at Estoril. The 27-year-old Italian, who has never finished off the podium in Moto GP at the circuit, lapped the track in 1:39.398 on his Yamaha.

The championship's in-form man Loris Capirossi was 0.239 seconds slower on his Ducati, with American John Hopkins - who has targeted a maiden podium finish at Estoril - an impressive third on his SuzukiChampionship leader Nicky Hayden - who leads Rossi by 12 points in the rider standings - was fourth quickest on his Repsol Honda, just ahead of Australian rookie Casey Stoner on his similar LCR-run machine.

Sixth was Hayden's team-mate Dani Pedrosa, with Rossi's fellow Yamaha rider Colin Edwards next up and veteran Carlos Checa eighth on his Tech-3-run version.The Fortuna Honda pair of Toni Elias and Marco Melandri rounded out the top 10.Further back, returning Australian rider Garry McCoy did well not to end up slowest on the brand-new Ilmor X3.McCoy lapped 4.1 seconds off the pace, but was still able to beat Britain's James Ellison, who was slowest on his Tech-3 Yamaha.