Qualifying cancellation puts Rossi on pole

From motogp.com

Heavy lunchtime rain at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit led to the cancellation of all qualifying sessions for the Polini Grand Prix of Japan on Saturday, leaving grid positions in all three World Championship categories to be decided according to free practice positions.

Valentino Rossi will thus start from pole position at Motegi for the first time in his career, courtesy of his late time on Friday afternoon. All MotoGP times were faster in the first free practice session, the only dry run that the riders have had in preparation for the 2009 race.

Rossi will line up alongside series leader Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday, the same three riders making up the front row as at the first race of the year in Qatar.

The 2008 World Champion is in a prime position to avoid a breakaway by Stoner, the rider who took victory so comprehensively less than two weeks ago.

Rizla Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen is joined by Monster Tech3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards – the fastest rider in the wet FP2 session - and three-time Motegi race winner Loris Capirossi on the second line, while the highest placing Honda comes on the third row. Andrea Dovizioso leads the Japanese company’s charge for the Repsol Honda factory squad, with Hayate Racing man Marco Melandri and San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Toni Elias by his side.

MotoGP Starting Grid
1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1:48.545
2. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 1:48.601
3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1:48.965
4. Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) 1:49.382
5. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 1:49.697
6. Loris Capirossi (Suzuki) 1:49.980
7. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 1:50.030
8. Marco Melandri (Kawasaki) 1:50.123
9. Toni Elias (Honda) 1:50.209
10. James Toseland (Yamaha) 1:50.342
11. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 1:50.391
12. Nicky Hayden (Ducati) 1:50.393
13. Yuki Takahashi (Honda) 1:50.404
14. Sete Gibernau (Ducati) 1:50.538
15. Allex de Angelis (Honda) 1:50.601
16. Randy de Puniet (Honda) 1:50.669
17. Mika Kallio (Ducati) 1:51.643
18. Niccolo Canepa (Ducati) 1:51.929