Silverstone: Stoner Tops FP3, Crutchlow Injured

2012 Silverstone MotoGP FP3 Results

The third and final free practice ahead of qualifying for the Hertz British Grand Prix was completed under cold but dry conditions Saturday morning at Silverstone.

And once again it was Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner who topped the session, just as he did in the second free practice Friday. Stoner, who won last year’s British Grand Prix, took advantage of the dry conditions from the start of FP3, finishing with a best lap time of 2:03.941.

Following by just over four tenths of a second behind was the Yamaha Factory duo of Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies. Fourth quickest at FP3 was yet another Yamaha rider, the Monster Tech 3 YZR-M1 piloted by Andrea Dovisioso. The Italian, who finished on the podium for the first time this season at Catalunya, finished 0.625 behind Stoner.

But Dovi’s teammate Cal Crutchlow once again had some bad luck at his home circuit. The Brit washed out the front of his satellite Yamaha at the quick turn 13, taking a hard fall. MotoGP says “a sharp pain in his left ankle was initially diagnosed as a sprain, yet with Crutchlow sighting significant discomfort and an increase in swelling, he will undergo further examination in hospital later today. As a result he will miss this afternoon’s Qualifying.”

Last year Crutchlow was forced to miss his home race due to breaking his left collarbone at Silverstone’s qualifying session.

In FP3, the next quickest Honda was the San Carlo Gresini Honda RC213V piloted by Alvaro Baustia, the Spaniard trailing Stoner by 0.945 of a second. Sixth quickest went to Stoner’s teammate Dani Pedrosa, who continues to struggle with grip from the new Bridgestone front tire.

The quickest Ducati was the Ducati Team GP12 ridden Nicky Hayden, who posted just ahead of Pramac Racing Ducati’s Hector Barbera in eighth. Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi continued to struggle with dry setup aboard the GP12, finishing ninth fastest, 2.607 off the top time. Rossi, who lead a wet first free practice, was followed by the top CRT bike – the Power Electronics Aspar ART machine piloted by Randy de Puniet.

Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden was once again the fastest of the Ducatis in seventh, ahead of Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá, who was the only rider in the top ten not to improve on yesterday’s time. Ninth place went to Hayden’s teammate Valentino Rossi, in front of Power Electronics Aspar’s Randy de Puniet in tenth on his ART machine.

Also crashing during FP3 was LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl, who wounded the fourth finger of his clutch hand. Missing from the grid was Cardion AB Ducati’s Karel Abraham, who was not declared not fit for this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

The riders will return to the Silverstone circuit later this afternoon for qualifying ahead of Sunday’s Silverstone MotoGP.

2012 Silverstone MotoGP Free Practice Three Results: