Pedrosa claims third pole of season

From motogp.com

Dani Pedrosa will start the Cardion ab Grand Prix Czech Republic from pole position after a fantastic qualifying effort at Brno on Saturday.

The Repsol Honda rider’s best lap of 1:56.508 delivered his third pole of the season and placed him just over three-tenths of a second clear at the top of the timesheet in a session that had a dramatic climax.

“It was a great qualifying session and to be back on pole position is fantastic after such a long time - the last time was in Italy at the beginning of June," Pedrosa said. "We’ve done a very good job so far this weekend and we have established a good pace for the race, but we still need to keep a clear mind, stay focused, and try to be ready for any conditions because the weather forecast for tomorrow is very uncertain."

American rookie Ben Spies had looked to be on course for a sensational first ever MotoGP pole when he assumed the lead time with only a few minutes remaining. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie will not be disappointed with second spot on the grid next to Pedrosa however as he starts a premier class race from the front row for the first time.

“My goal was to be on the second row and I didn't think the front row was possible, let alone a pole position, so I'm really happy. From the start of the weekend every change we have made to the bike has been better and that doesn't usually happen,” said Spies, the highest placing Yamaha on the grid.

“I had a decent pace so I was confident I could have a good qualifying. When we put the second soft tire in I got into first position and I thought people would go faster. I did a really good time at the end but when I saw I was still up there I thought, ‘I could do this.'

"Dani did a good job and I didn't have those last three tenths anyway and the time I set was a good time for me. It would have been nice to have a pole position but at this point just being on the middle of the front row is a great result for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team and myself.”

Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo will attempt to achieve his seventh win of the campaign from the final front-row spot having qualified at 0.357 secs. off Pedrosa’s pace. The Fiat Yamaha rider had a fall right at the end of the hour-long session when pushing through turn 11, a crash which did not result in any side effects.

"This wasn't the best practice session of the year for us. We made some modifications that didn't work and it was especially a problem in the front, which was closing on me a lot,” said Lorenzo. “I wasn't fast and I was having to take too many risks. Then I made a mistake and the bike went flying. I really hope the engine is okay for tomorrow. Luckily I am not hurt and I was able to get up straight away.”

Casey Stoner was not satisfied with his Ducati Team machine as he struggled with corner exit, but a determined final push at the end of session placed the Australian fourth and he and his team will work hard overnight to correct the rear grip issues he appeared to be having.

Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha), at just over half a second off pole, will start from fifth and the reigning World Champion was extremely frustrated to have a fall at turn 13 just moments after Lorenzo went down.

Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso will complete the second row after taking his factory RC212V round in the sixth best time.

The third row will comprise Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) and rookie Héctor Barberá (Páginas Amarillas Aspar), with Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) 10th.

Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) will start from 11th on his return from injury.

Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team) had a fall inside the opening 10 minutes but returned to the track to qualify 12th, while Hayden had a crash at turn three with 15 minutes remaining, which resulted in a chipped radius in his left arm. The American will be fit to race.

Absent from the session was Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) following his crash in the morning practice, and a decision on his participation in the race will be made on Sunday morning.

MotoGP Qualifying Results
1. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Repsol Honda 1:56.508
2. Ben SPIES (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:56.846
3. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Fiat Yamaha 1:56.865
4. Casey STONER (AUS) Ducati 1:56.868
5. Valentino ROSSI (ITA) Fiat Yamaha 1:57.059
6. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Repsol Honda 1:57.117
7. Colin EDWARDS (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:57.222
8. Nicky HAYDEN (USA) Ducati 1:57.635
9. Hector BARBERA (SPA) Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati 1:57.960
10. Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) Rizla Suzuki 1:57.981
11. Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) LCR Honda 1:58.089
12. Marco SIMONCELLI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda 1:58.169
13. Mika KALLIO (FIN) Pramac Ducati 1:58.182
14. Marco MELANDRI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda 1:58.430
15. Alex DE ANGELIS (RSM) Interwetten Honda 1:58.522
16. Aleix ESPARGARO (SPA) Pramac Ducati 1:58.700
Alvaro BAUTISTA (SPA) Rizla Suzuki No Time