Spaniard claims top slot on the grid ahead of tomorrow's race in stunning display at Jerez
FIAT YAMAHA ace Jorge Lorenzo claimed a stunning pole position earlier today ahead of tomorrow's Catalunya Grand Prix at Jerez, Spain.
Lorenzo's second pole in succession put him in exalted company. At Qatar he became the first class rookie to qualify on pole since Max Biaggi in 1998. At Jerez, he equalled the feat of Finnish giant Jarno Saarinen, who qualified his new Yamaha 500 on pole for the first two rounds.
Saarinen claimed pole in the third race of the year as well, having won the first two, but his story had a tragic ending. He was killed in a 250-class crash at the Italian GP at Monza that year.
Lorenzo, running Michelin tyres on his Fiat Yamaha, held top spot for most of the session, clocking a fastest lap of 1:38.189, in one of the most polished displays from a MotoGP rookie ever.
Second fastest place went to fellow countryman Dani Pedrosa with a 1:38.7 - American Tech 3 Yamaha's Colin Edwards went third quickest with a best time of 1:38.9
Reigning world champion Casey Stoner had a disastrous session, struggling to find grip on his Ducati GP8, ending qualifying in seventh position.
Britain's James Toseland put in a strong performance on his Tech 3 Yamaha, ending the session in eighth.
1 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team YAMAHA 1'38.189
2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda HONDA 1'38.7
3 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha YAMAHA 1'38.9
4 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda HONDA
5 Valentino ROSSI Fiat Yamaha YAMAHA
6 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP HONDA
