The British Grand Prix began today with the constant threat of rain hanging over the Donington Park circuit.

The MotoGP riders were able to work in dry conditions in the first hour of morning practice but their programme was interrupted twice during the afternoon by short showers that forced the riders back into the pit as they avoided taking risks on a track that already offers low levels of grip.

Marco Melandri set the fifth fastest lap of the day, 0.3 seconds slower than pace-setting American Colin Edwards, whilst Sete Gibernau was one place behind in sixth. The Italian completed 24 laps in the morning and 13 in the afternoon whilst Sete clocked up a total of 25 laps, gathering positive feedback in both sessions despite completing just six laps in the afternoon.

 MARCO MELANDRI (5th, 1’30”308): “I like this track a lot - I consider it as my second home Grand Prix because I live only two miles away. I felt really calm when I arrived and this morning I was already feeling comfortable on the bike. In the afternoon we lost a little time because the track was neither dry or wet enough but I did manage to put in a couple of laps on a soft tyre and I felt good. Tomorrow we have to keep working on the setting but I am confident, even if it rains.”

 SETE GIBERNAU (6th, 1’30”398): “We began working here with a decent base setting and in the morning we gathered information that helped us make a good start to the weekend. In the afternoon the few drops of rain that fell interrupted our programme but even so the few laps we did manage were useful.”

LAP TIMES

1. Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 1’29”960
2. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha; + 0”025
3. John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki+ 0”138
4. Alex Barros (Bra/Hondanbsp; + 0”158
5. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) + 0”348
6. Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) + 0”438
7. Kenny Roberts (USA/Suzuki) + 0”534
8. Troy Bayliss (Aus/Honda + 0”601
9. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) + 0”620
10. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) + 0”637