Highlights

Motorcycling-Checa fastest in Australian GP practice

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-16 13:52

PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia, Sept 16 - Spain's Carlos Checa clocked the fastest time in Saturday's free practice for the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix.

The Yamaha rider left it until the dying moments of the session to record a best time round the 4.44km Phillip Island circuit of one minute 30.20 seconds.

World championship leader Nicky Hayden of the United States was second, 0.07 seconds adrift, as cool conditions meant times were generally slower than in Friday's sessions.

Italy's Loris Capirossi was third quickest in 1:30.27 on a Ducati while Yamaha's world champion Valentino Rossi, chasing a sixth victory at the circuit, was fifth.

Spain's Dani Pedrosa, second behind Hayden in the standings, continued to struggle with the leg injury he sustained in practice in Malaysia last week and was 15th, 1.27 seconds slower than Checa.

Hayden leads the world title race by 22 points with four races remaining. Honda team mate Pedrosa is second and Rossi third, 26 points behind the American.

Qualifying practice starts at 1400 local time, 0400GMT.