Pedrosa pips Rossi in practice at Mugello

Spain's Daniel Pedrosa pipped home favourite Valentino Rossi to record the fastest time on the first day of practice at the Italian Grand Prix yesterday.

The 21-year-old Honda rider took advantage of dry conditions in the morning session to lap the 5.245km Mugello circuit in one minute 50.743 seconds, 0.158 seconds quicker than Rossi, who is aiming for his sixth MotoGP win in six years at his home race tomorrow.

It was a different story in the afternoon session, however, when heavy rain forced the riders to switch from slicks to treaded tyres and championship leader Casey Stoner led the field with a time of 2:07.107 on his Ducati.

American Suzuki rider John Hopkins was second quickest, 0.018 seconds behind.

Hopkins's team-mate, Chris Vermeulen, underlined his skill in the wet by coming in third.

Vermeulen grabbed his first MotoGP win on a sodden Le Mans track at the French Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Rossi, meanwhile, had to settle for fourth, 1.346 seconds slower than Stoner after sliding off in the final minute of the session.

Qualifying for tomorrow's MotoGP race will take place today at 1.15 p.m.