Stoner sets fastest lap time in practice

Casey Stoner set the fastest lap time Friday in the first MotoGP practice session for the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix.

The Australian clocked 1 minute 32.813 seconds on his Ducati to beat two Spaniards, Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo and Honda's Dani Pedrosa, while Yamaha's world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy was fourth.

In good conditions at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, Stoner overcame some early problems with his bike before setting the pace.

The Ducati rider, who is third in the standings, hopes to make it three wins in a row on Sunday in the final race of the year.

Rossi has already clinched the world title, while second-place Lorenzo and Stoner are vying for the runner-up spot.