World champion Casey Stoner equalled Mick Doohan’s record of 12 pole positions in a single season as he dominated qualifying for the MotoGP season finale at Valencia.
Stoner was at the head of the order throughout the session, which took place on a dry track as the rain that shook up 125cc qualifyng held off.
The Australian was able to extend his advantage whenever he was threatened, and eventually put in a 1m31.861s to pull out a massive 1.014-second margin over his Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa in second.
Randy de Puniet nearly got his Pramac Ducati onto the front row, but was usurped from third by Yamaha’s Ben Spies in the end - leaving de Puniet to be content with a season-best fourth place.
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MotoGP: Grand Prix of Valencia - Race Line Up
MotoGP: Casey Stoner Fastest in First Practice at Valencia
MotoGP: Grand Prix of Valencia - First Practice Results
MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista Fastest in Second Practice at Valencia
MotoGP: Grand Prix of Valencia - Second Practice Results
MotoGP: Casey Stoner Fastest in Final Practice at Valencia
MotoGP: Grand Prix of Valencia - Final Practice Results
Alvaro Bautista underlined Suzuki’s recent improvements in fifth, ahead of the works Ducatis of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) starts next to the American on the eighth grid position after setting a time just over a tenth behind Hayden. The Italian suffered a crash and tumble just as the checkered flag was shown but was up and walking away immediately.
Héctor Barberá (Mapfre Aspar) suffered a mechanical failure in the early part of the one hour qualifying.
The Spaniard was able to get aboard his spare bike to finish the session in ninth which puts him in the final spot on row three for tomorrow’s race. Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) completed the top ten, with Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Pramac Racing’s Loris Capirossi, who sports the number 58 on his machine to honor Marco Simoncelli, joining the Czech rider on row four. motogp.com
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