The MotoGP qualifying session at the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya concluded with home rider Jorge Lorenzo securing his third pole position of 2009 in sweltering heat close to the Mediterranean coast.
The Fiat Yamaha star pleased the crowd in his special edition Barcelona FC livery securing the top slot on the grid with a 1’41.974 time on the 28th of 29 laps, putting him just ahead of team-mate Valentino Rossi by a 0.013s margin.
Having never been off the podium in the premier class at Montmeló Rossi will be confident of maintaining that remarkable record on Sunday, though he knows he will have to be at his best to beat his talented young Spanish colleague. MotoGP
Championship leader Casey Stoner qualified third on his Ducati, 0.452 seconds behind Lorenzo.
MotoGP: Catalunya Grand Prix - Race Line-Up
Australian Stoner leads the standings after five of the season’s 17 races with 90 points, followed by Lorenzo on 86 and Rossi on 81.
Injury-plagued Dani Pedrosa, the Honda rider who is 24 points behind Rossi in fourth overall, qualified eighth for his home race after crashing near the end of the session. guardian.co.uk
| 
|