DANI PEDROSA took his fourth pole position on the trot in the latter stages of qualifying at Valencia today.
The Spaniard pipped incoming world champion, Casey Stoner, with Honda's Nicky Hayden taking an impressive third place on the grid. Kawasaki's Randy de Puniet and Yamaha's Sylivain Guintoli both put in spirited rides, taking fourth and fifth places ahead of tomorrow's race.
Former world champion Valentino Rossi crashed out heavily in the early stages of the session, wrecking his M1 Yamaha and breaking three bones in his right hand. Rossi was whisked to hospital immediately complaining of lower back pain, too. The incident casts a serious doubt as to whether Rossi will take part in tomorrow's race.
Britain's Chaz Davies crashed out of the session. It was his second spill in as many days.
1 D Pedrosa (ESP) Honda Repsol 1:31.517 2 C Stoner (AUS) Ducati MotoGP 1:31.603 3 N Hayden (USA) Honda Repsol 1:31.901 4 R De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing 1:31.903 5 S Guintoli (FRA) Yamaha Tech3 1:32.074 6 L Capirossi (ITA) Ducati MotoGP 1:32.261 7 M Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Honda 1:32.367 8 J Hopkins (USA) Suzuki MotoGP 1:32.576 9 C Vermulen (AUS) Suzuki MotoGP 1:32.617 10 A Barros (BRA) Ducati d'Antin 1:32.714 11 S Nakano (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda 1:32.802 12 V Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory 1:33.290 13 C Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory 1:33.763 14 A Elias (ESP) Honda Gresini 1:33.771 15 C Checa (ESP) Honda LCR 1:33.897
