KEY POINTS:
CHESTE - MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has posted the fastest times in both free practice sessions at the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix.
The 22-year-old Australian, who wrapped up the championship in Japan in September, improved his morning time in the second session to clock one minute 32.968 seconds on his Ducati for the four-km lap of the tight and twisty Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia.
Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli posted a surprise second-fastest time in the afternoon session on his Tech 3 Yamaha, 0.116 seconds slower than Stoner, while Honda's Dani Pedrosa was third quickest.
Marco Melandri was in fourth spot ahead of Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen, Kawasaki rider Randy de Puniet and Alex Barros on a D'Antin Ducati.
Five-times MotoGP and 500cc world champion Valentino Rossi, who needs just one point in Sunday's race to ensure he finishes as runner-up for the second year in succession, was back in eighth on his Yamaha, 0.652 down on Stoner.
Stand-in rider Chaz Davies of Britain missed the afternoon session after a crashing out on his Ducati in the morning.
In the 125cc class, the only title yet to be decided, local favourite Hector Faubel was fastest in qualifying and heads the provisional grid.
The Spaniard, who has an outside chance of winning the title, was 0.146 seconds quicker than Aprilia team mate and championship leader Gabor Talmacsi.
- REUTERS
