Toronto Practice Report
Practice for the "Big Boys" just wrapped up here in Vancouver, with the second session for the 450 class now in the books. The biggest news is that James Stewart sat out of the second session after putting in a few fast laps in the first session. His foot is still bothering him but he will be racing tonight. His times in session one held up enough to get him the fifth fastest lap, and hence get that gate selection. But between his fast laps, Stewart was cruising the track a bit off the pace. He was also limping during his track walk today. Obviously, he is not at 100 percent, but, James has proven before that when it's go time, he can still go (Southwick, anyone?).
Ricky Carmichael posted the fastest laps in each session and looked really, really good doing it. He'll have the first gate pick. Interestingly, Chad Reed looked fast, too, but he ended the second session with the only the fourth fastest time, and was actually a few hundreths slower in the second practice than the first. His strong lap in the first session will give him third pick of the gate, with David Vuillemin with the second fastest. This timed practice thing is really working out for DV12.
Tim Ferry will end up with the fourth gate choice. Martin Davalos was the fastest of the Lites riders.
For non-stop updates throughout the race weekend, be sure to check TFS' Weekend Window blog.