Lorenzo pips Pedrosa in Spain
2012-04-28 16:25
POLE FOR JORGE: Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo just scraped through to take pole ahead of the 2012 Spanish MotoGP.
Author: Mark Elkington
Madrid, Spain - Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo pipped compatriot Dani Pedrosa to pole position on Saturday on the final lap of a keenly contested qualifying session for the 2012 Spanish MotoGP.
Yamaha rider Lorenzo, the 2010 World champion, won from pole at the 2012 season-opener in Qatar and was fastest again in Jerez with a time of 1min39.532 on a circuit where he has triumphed the last two years.
STONER FIFTH
Repsol Honda's Pedrosa, who had been quickest in the rain-interrupted practice sessions, was 0.135sec slower as he failed to match Lorenzo in the dry conditions of the hour’s qualifying session.
American Nicky Hayden (Ducati) completed the front row with Britain's Cal Crutchlow, World champion Casey Stoner of Australia and American Ben Spies behind them on the grid.
Spanish MotoGP qualification on Saturday
1 Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha - 1min39.532
2 Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda - 1min39.667
3 Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Ducati - 1min40.563
4 Cal Crutchlow (Britain) Yamaha - 1min40.570
5 Casey Stoner (Australia) Honda - 1min40.577
6 Ben Spies (US) Yamaha - 1min41.090
7 Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Yamaha - 1min41.180
8 Alvaro Bautista (Spain) Honda - 1min41.447
9 Stefan Bradl (Germany) Honda - 1min41.550
10 Randy de Puniet (France) Aprilia - 1:41.700
