MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa fastest in practice for Japanese GP

Spain's Dani Pedrosa got his weekend off to the perfect start by recording the fastest time in practice ahead of the Japanese MotoGP.

Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa is 33 points behind Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo in the championship standings with four races of the season remaining.

The 27-year-old ended was 0.102 seconds quicker than compatriot Lorenzo, with Italy's Andrea Dovizioso in third.

Reigning champion Casey Stoner was only seventh on his return from injury.

The Australian has missed the last three races after breaking his ankle in a crash in qualifying in Indianapolis. and ended the day 0.895 seconds behind team-mate Pedrosa.

British rider Cal Crutchlow struggled on his Tech 3 Yamaha, clocking only the ninth best time at Motegi.

Crutchlow said: "Today wasn't the start I was hoping for at all because we worked very hard to improve the bike but I was unable to find a comfortable setting.

"I am way down on the timesheets and a long way behind Andrea and we are both on the same bike and the same tyres, so it is clear that we have a lot of work to do to improve tomorrow.

"Nothing we tried seemed to work."

Motegi second practice times:

1. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Repsol Honda one minute, 46.088 seconds

2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 1:46.190

3. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Tech 3 Yamaha 1:46.282

4. Stefan Bradl (Ger) LCR Honda 1:46.428

5. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Ducati 1:46.687

6. Ben Spies (US) Yamaha 1:46.912

7. Casey Stoner (Aus) Repsol Honda 1:46.978

8. Alvaro Bautista (Spa) Gresini Honda 1:46.983

9. Cal Crutchlow (GB) Tech 3 Yamaha 1:46.984

10. Nicky Hayden (US) Ducati 1:47.592