"The weather was basically perfect all day apart from when the wind picked up a little in the afternoon but the smaller fairing, which we used for the race here in October, meant that it wasn't a problem. Towards the end of the day my shoulder was a little sore because this is such a physical track, with a lot of fast corners, but it is still better than it was in Malaysia," he added.

New Ducati Marlboro team-mate Marco Melandri, who has had difficultly adjusting to the character of the Desmosedici, sealed a confidence boosting sixth (+0.7secs to Stoner) on the second factory GP8.

An impressive day for the rookies was highlighted by satellite-Honda-mounted 250GP graduates Alex de Angelis (Gresini) and Andrea Dovizioso (JiR Scot Team), who fired themselves towards the sharp end of the field with the third and fourth fastest lap times despite - like Toseland - having no previous 'Island MotoGP experience.

Further back, lone factory Honda rider Nicky Hayden finished the day in eighth position - and just over one-second from Stoner - after a huge 107 laps, while Rizla Suzuki riders Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen were once again evenly matched in ninth and tenth positions at a track where the GSV-R struggled last season.

Former Suzuki rider John Hopkins edged out Kawasaki team-mate Anthony West at the #13's local track, but neither will be pleased with twelfth and 13th positions - some 1.5secs from Stoner.

Alice Team riders Sylvain Guintoli and Toni Elias rounded out the 15 rider field on their satellite Ducatis, three-seconds behind Edwards.