Defending MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, who could clinch the 2009 title this Sunday at Sepang with a top-four finish, is thrilled not only with his qualifying pole position but also with the time he set to secure it.
The Italian beat his own pole position record at the Sepang international circuit – which had stood since 2006 and was set on a 990cc machine – to record a new best time of 2’00.518. MotoGP
“I went all out to get the pole and I am happy it turned out to be the fastest ever lap at Sepang,” Rossi said. “I have a good advantage for tomorrow.”
Lorenzo, who crashed on his MotoGP race debut at the track last season, was followed onto the front row of the grid by Pedrosa, who was fastest in morning practice earlier but the Honda rider finished a further 0.167s behind Lorenzo.
Ducati rider Casey Stoner of Australia, who won the race at Sepang in his world title winning season in 2007 and won last weekend’s race in Australia, will start from fourth after lapping at almost a full second slower than Rossi while Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi secured fifth. USA Today
Pos Rider Team 1 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 2 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 3 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 4 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 5 Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 6 Toni Elias San Carlo Honda Gresini 7 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 8 Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 9 Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 10 Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 11 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team 12 Mika Kallio Pramac Racing 13 Aleix Espargaro Pramac Racing 14 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 15 Marco Melandri Hayate Racing Team 16 James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 17 Gabor Talmacsi Scot Racing Team MotoGP
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