Former world champion Valentino Rossi enjoyed a rare successful day on his under-performing Ducati when he clocked the third fastest time in rain-lashed practice for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.
Unheralded Spaniard Ivan Silva was the quickest rider on his Kawasaki, more than two seconds ahead of Dani Pedrosa on a factory Honda.
Silva made the most of being able to run in a break in the rain on a drying track in the first of Friday's two sessions.
Reigning world champion Casey Stoner of Australia was fifth fastest on his Honda with Spain's Jorge Lorenzo, the Yamaha rider who won the first race of the season in Qatar, in fourth spot.
"We go pretty well in the wet. We're happy because it confirms that the bike has the same good feeling in the wet that last year's bike did, and that's important," said Rossi.
"I felt good immediately today. We worked on the setting a bit but because we had already started with a good feeling, I was able to immediately ride at the limit and do some good times. Now we have to wait to see what the weather does tomorrow in qualifying, and especially on Sunday."
Combined times for the first two practice sessions at Spanish Grand Prix on Friday:
1. Ivan Silva (ESP/Kawasaki-FTR) 1:48.674, 2. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) at 2.106, 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Ducati) 2.766, 4. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) 3.199. 5. Casey Stoner (AUS/Honda) 3.432, 6. Nicky Hayden (USA/Ducati) 3.580, 7. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Yamaha) 4.396, 8. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Honda) 4.4492, 9. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Yamaha) 4.678, 10. Ben Spies (USA/Yamaha) 4.735, 11. Stefan Bradl (GER/Honda) 5.481, 12. Randy de Puniet (FRA/Aprilia) 5.696
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