The Hertz British Grand Prix got underway with a rain-hit first free practice session, where Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi set the fastest time ahead of teammate Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso.

Amid cold and wet conditions it was Rossi who led a Ducati one-two with a 2.19’328. In a session where many riders looked to lapping gingerly on the wet track, Hayden was pushing hard to finish just over seventh hundredths behind the Italian, whilst Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Dovizioso was a full seven tenths down on the Ducati duo.

Last year’s wet-weather-race winner, Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner, went fourth quickest, ahead of Tech 3’s local favourite Cal Crutchlow, who was over 1.9s off the lead. Sixth place is occupied by LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, who experienced the British track for the first time on a MotoGP bike.

In seventh, Stoner’s teammate Pedrosa was over three seconds off the front, while championship leader, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo, was eighth, after coming into the pits for the final part of the practice. Rounding out the top ten are San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, who crashed out with ten minutes remaining, and Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá.

Top CRT spot went to Power Electronics Aspar’s Randy de Puniet in 12th. The day didn’t get off the best start for Lorenzo’s teammate Ben Spies, who crashed out shortly before Bautista. He was taken to the medical centre to check on his wrist, though it is not suspected to be serious. Cardion AB Racing’s Karel Abraham, who had hoped to start the session despite a broken finger and cuts to his hand, was ruled out of the weekend earlier this morning after final medical checks.