Rossi, currently leading the Championship standings by just eight points going into the last race of the season, clocked a time of one minute, 33.310 seconds.

In a tight practice session, Australian Casey Stoner had the second fastest time (1:33.316), just in front of Nicky Hayden (1:33.317), who is the only rider who can catch Rossi in the championship race.

Loris Capirossi registered the fourth fastest lap (1:33.474) in his Ducati, while Australian Chris Vermeulen was not far behind in fifth clocking a time of 1:33.513.

American Colin Edwards was sixth fastest (1:33.545), Dani Pedrosa seventh fastest (1:33.643) and Australian Troy Bayliss eighth fastest in his Ducati with a time of 1:33.699.

Marco Melandri, who currently sits third in the World Championship standings, registered the tenth fastest time in his Honda (1:33.791), marginally behind French rider Randy De Puni who clocked a lap of 1:33.774.

Australian Gary McCoy clocked the 20th fastest time in the first practice session with a time of 1:36.566.

Results from the first practice session of the Valencia MotoGP
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) (Yamaha) 1:33.310
2. Casey Stoner (Australia) (Honda) 1:33.316
3. Nicky Hayden (USA) (Honda) 1:33.317
4. Loris Capirossi (Italy) (Ducati) 1:33.474
5. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) (Suzuki) 1:33.513
6. Colin Edwards (USA) (Yamaha) 1:33.545
7. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) (Honda) 1:33.643
8. Troy Bayliss (Australia) (Ducati) 1:33.699
9. Randy De Puni (France) (Kawasaki) 1:33.774
10. Marco Melandri (Italy) (Honda) 1:33.791
Also
20. Gary McCoy (Australia) (Ilmorx3) 1:36.566

Sportal