Aussie grabs pole, Rossi tenth and Toseland fifth at final round of this year's MotoGP qualifying session
CASEY STONER put in a blistering performance to snatch pole position at Valencia, ahead of tomorrow's final round of MotoGP at Valencia.
The Australian clocked a fastest time of 1:31.502 ahead of nearest rival Dani Pedrosa, who posted a time just 5/100ths slower than Stoner.
Outgoing Repsol Honda ride Nicky Hayden took the third spot on tomorrow's grid. The American held pole for most of the session, looking as though he would start his final race for Honda at the head of the grid, but he was pipped by both Stoner and Pedrosa in the final few minutes of the hour-long session.
2008 World Champion Valentino Rossi had a disappointing result, ending the day in 10th place. Britain's James Toseland had a superb ride, posting the fifth fastest time ahead of tomorrow's race.
2008 Valencia Grand Prix Qualifying Results
1 1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'31.502 306.992
2 2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'31.555 308.043 0.053
3 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'31.703 304.826 0.201
4 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'32.212 301.339 0.710
5 52 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'32.518 302.097 1.016
6 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'32.572 293.877 1.070
7 48 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'32.594 304.225 1.092
8 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'32.614 299.583 1.112
9 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP Honda 1'32.734 298.837 1.232
10 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'32.962 303.115 1.460
11 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team Ducati 1'32.983 308.747 1.481
12 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'33.017 294.920 1.515
13 50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team Ducati 1'33.352 307.692 1.850
14 21 John HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'33.681 298.672 2.179
15 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'33.767 299.667 2.265
16 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'33.848 298.177 2.346
17 13 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'33.879 299.916 2.377
18 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'34.174 306.643 2.672
