Colin Edwards set the fastest time in the first free practice session of this weekend's MotoGP round at Jerez.
The Tech 3 Yamaha rider's best lap was just two tenths of a second outside the lap record, and over a tenth quicker than reigning champion Casey Stoner, who finished practice in second place.
Valentino Rossi was a further tenth back in third, before a bigger gap to fourth-placed Nicky Hayden.
The MotoGP rookies continued to show strongly, with Rossi's Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo nicking fifth from Andrea Dovizioso with the final lap of the session.
Briton James Toseland was 11th quickest, 0.893 seconds slower than teammate Edwards, while Marco Melandri's tough start to the season continued in 14th.
Pos Driver Team Time Lapsautosport.com
1. Colin Edwards Yamaha 1:40.714 23
2. Casey Stoner Ducati 1:40.828 20
3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1:40.918 26
4. Nicky Hayden Honda 1:41.182 27
5. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1:41.371 25
6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1:41.378 21
7. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1:41.419 25
8. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1:41.443 23
9. Alex De Angelis Honda 1:41.579 23
10. Shinya Nakano Honda 1:41.599 23
11. James Toseland Yamaha 1:41.607 18
12. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1:41.746 23
13. John Hopkins Kawasaki 1:41.944 21
14. Marco Melandri Ducati 1:41.980 21
15. Anthony West Kawasaki 1:42.300 22
16. Randy De Puniet Honda 1:42.454 23
17. Silvain Guintoli Ducati 1:42.868 20
18. Tony Elias Ducati 1:43.206 21