Pedrosa in doubt for Malaysian GP after fall in practice

Spain's Dani Pedrosa is in doubt for Sunday's MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix after falling from his Honda during practice Friday.

Pedrosa, who is second in the MotoGP World Championship riders standings, was leading in practice until he slipped at lap 11 at the Sepang International Circuit.

He left the scene unaided, but the medical report said he suffered "an open wound of the right knee and contusion of the big toe of the left foot.''

Race organiszers said he will undergo a medical check on Saturday morning to determine if he can race.

Italy's Loris Capirossi made the most of Pedrosa's exit and stayed on track for back-to-back MotoGP wins with a best time of 2 minutes, 1.711 seconds on his Ducati.

Pedrosa's time of 2:02.021 stood as second fastest, ahead of America's Kenny Roberts Jr. with 2:02.563 on his Honda.

MotoGP leader Nicky Hayden of the United States was not at full throttle on his Honda and finished tenth with a time of 2:03.199.

Hayden leads the season with 201 points, 25 ahead of teammate Pedrosa and 38 points ahead of defending world champion Valentino Rossi, who was sixth fastest at 2:02.970 Friday on his Yamaha.

Capirossi dominated the Czech Grand Prix last week for his second victory of the season.

Spain's Hector Barbera in the first qualifying for the 250cc on his Aprilia with a time of 2:08.266.

Compatriot Jorge Lorenzo, who is currently leading the 250cc standings with 199 points, came in a close second with a time of 2.08.404, followed by Hiroshi Oayama of Japan (2:08.566) and Italy's Roberto Locatelli (2:08.902).

In the 125cc, Spaniard Alvaro Bautista took top spot in the first qualifying session with 2:12.846, ahead of Mika Kallio of Finland with 2:13.974 and Italy's Mattia Passini at 2:14.121. - AP