After battling it out during the last race in Laguna Seca, Valentino Rossi and current champion Casey Stoner were back at it today on the Brno circuit for the next round of MotoGP.

In the morning's practice, Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi proved to be the fastest of the two but by only a margin of .0129 seconds in front of the Ducati ace.

Behind them Shinya Nakano made the most of his new Gresini-run factory Honda RCV to go third fastest, barely finishing in front of teammate Alex de Angelis.

Also, tire manufacturer Bridgestone seemed to have the early initiative once again at Brno, its riders filling the top eight positions.

In the afternoon, the final results showed Stoner to gain momentum as he finished at the top of the time sheet in front of Rossi by barely the same margin that prevailed in the first practice; the Australian did however lowered Rossi's morning time.

Once again, Bridgestone seemed to have the upper hand, as only one Michelin driver, Colin Edwards, was able to get into the Top 10. Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo's times probably showed how much Michelin proposed rubbers are lacking in performance.

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa who is recovering from injuries he suffered in Germany was not up to task as he finished the first session at the bottom and the second one in 16th.

Loris Capirossi was an impressive third for Suzuki, snatching the position late in the day from Shinya Nakano, who appears to be Honda's best hope of success for the weekend.

Morning's practice
Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:57.782
2. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:57.911 + 0.129
3. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:59.021 + 1.239
4. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:59.134 + 1.352
5. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:59.220 + 1.438
6. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:59.400 + 1.618
7. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:59.756 + 1.974
8. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:59.770 + 1.988
9. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:59.965 + 2.183
10. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 2:00.082 + 2.300
11. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 2:00.083 + 2.301
12. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 2:00.429 + 2.647
13. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 2:00.447 + 2.665
14. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 2:00.496 + 2.714
15. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 2:01.074 + 3.292
16. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 2:01.128 + 3.346
17. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) 2:01.231 + 3.449

Afternoon's practice
1. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:57.231
2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:57.410 + 0.179
3. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:58.000 + 0.769
4. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:58.228 + 0.997
5. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:58.264 + 1.033
6. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:58.462 + 1.231
7. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:58.672 + 1.441
8. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:58.830 + 1.599
9. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:58.881 + 1.650
10. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:58.923 + 1.692
11. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:58.977 + 1.746
12. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:59.094 + 1.863
13. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:59.328 + 2.097
14. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:59.405 + 2.174
15. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:59.943 + 2.712
16. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) 2:00.540 + 3.309
17. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 2:00.621 + 3.390