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Yamaha made a strong start to the new season as both Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards impressed in Friday's two practice sessions at the Qatar MotoGP.
American Edwards set the morning's fastest lap time of one minute, 56.665 seconds in the first free practice.
And five-time world champion Rossi of Italy went fastest with 1:56.464 in the afternoon session ahead of Edwards.
Casey Stoner was third in the second practice, while world champion Nicky Hayden struggled in both sessions.
The American was more than 1.5 seconds behind Rossi, down in 15th at the standings.
Following Australian Stoner's Ducati in the standings were Suzuki's John Hopkins, Carlos Checa on the LCR Honda and fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda.
Briton Jeremy McWilliams's day was marred by a mechanical problem near the end of the session, which forced him to stop his Ilmor bike on the track.
03-08-2007, 03:42 PM
The MotoGP 2007 Thread - Rossi to bounce back? Post #17
MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden says changes to technical rules could throw up some surprise race winners once the new season gets under way on Saturday.
The Repsol Honda rider starts his title defence in Qatar and he told BBC Sport the enforced change of all engines to 800cc may cause some unlikely results.
"It'll shake things up, not just the riders but also the teams," he said.
"A few guys who were maybe behind will get to start from scratch. It seems everybody is really even."
The reduction in engine capacity from 990cc is a safety measure, designed to cut down on acceleration speeds.
But before the new season has even started, the riders are already coming close to last season's times.
"A lot of people - myself included - didn't expect lap times to be so close," he said.
"We're already going as fast as we did on 990s because it shows how good the tyres and technology are.
"We can ride harder, break deeper and carry more corner speed, and the tyres are a big part of it, helping us use the power better.
Hayden's 2006 triumph, ending Valentino Rossi's run of five consecutive MotoGP titles, was only decided by the last race of the season, ensuring the most dramatic finale to a season the sport has ever seen.
It was only afterwards that Hayden revealed he had been carrying a serious shoulder injury which needed surgery in the close season.
"The shoulder didn't feel great," he admitted.
"I've ridden in more comfortable condition but I'd do it again.
"The world title was on the line so you do whatever it takes, you don't lay down just because you've got a broken shoulder or whatever."
Hayden's consistent finishing saw him take the 2006 title despite winning just two races, a figure he admits he will have to improve upon if he wants to retain his crown.
Achieving his dream gave the 25-year-old a huge boost, but he admitted the past would count for nothing when the 2007 season kicks off in Qatar.
"I couldn't make a prediction for the season," he said.
"Everybody in the paddock is talented, there are no sleepers and it's not amateur night.
"I always expect a lot from myself so I've gained a lot of confidence and momentum from winning but the target's still the same.
"I love racing motorbikes and feel really fortunate so I want to make the most of it. I don't want to have any regrets and won't hold back."
03-09-2007, 02:04 PM
The MotoGP 2007 Thread - Rossi to bounce back? Post #18
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