MotoGP news

Rossi on pole in Qatar

Valentino Rossi has qualified himself in pole position for the first race of the season in Qatar. Rossi's team-mate Colin Edwards has also qualified himself on the front row in third position. Ducati rider Casey Stoner qualified his Ducati in second position.

Under dry and sunny weather conditions the Yamaha riders continued their strong performance in Qatar. Rossi was only slightly faster (five thousands of a second!) than Casey Stoner's fastest laptime. It was Rossi's 36th pole position in MotoGP.

In the first half an hour it was Randy de Puniet on top of the time sheets, but as soon as most MotoGP riders fitted their bikes with qualifying tyres De Puniet's time got smashed. Colin Edwards, who's been leading most of this weekend's sessions, topped the time sheets with many constant lap times in the final 30 minutes of qualifying.

At the end of the qualifying session it became clear though that 'The Doctor' wasn't going to let his team-mate claim the first pole position of the season. Rossi completed a clean lap and was straight on top. In the Ducati pitbox they just smiled seeing a time difference between their rider Stoner and Rossi of just five thousands of a second.

Nicky Hayden had a disappointing qualifying session. Hayden is having a very difficult weekend so far and didn't even get close to the top.

It promises to become a spectacular race on Saturday. Yamaha looked unbeatable in the three free practice sessions here in Qatar, but Ducati and Honda are extremely close behind!

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