Rossi sets the pace in Qatar practice

Valentino Rossi and Texan team-mate Colin Edwards led the way yesterday as Yamaha dominated free practice for tomorrow's MotoGP season-opener in Qatar.

The charismatic Italian, determined to regain the title he held for five years before losing out to Honda's American Nicky Hayden last year, was quickest overall with a lap of 1:56.464 in the afternoon.

The 28-year-old, race winner for the past two years at the Losail International circuit, had set the third best time in the first session.

Edwards was quickest in the morning in 1:56.665. Ducati's young Australian Casey Stoner, on pole in Qatar last year, was third quickest in 1:56.745.

Hayden, who had shoulder surgery after the end of last season, could manage only 15th on the timesheets with a best lap of 1:58.021.