MotoGP news

Rossi on Brno pole despite crash

It was Valentino Rossi who snatched pole position for this weekend's Czech Grand Prix to knock team-mate Jorge Lorenzo off the top spot which had been held by the Spaniard throughout both practice sessions. Qualifying was not without its dramas for Rossi, however, as the Italian lost control and crashed in the late stages.                  

With Lorenzo having led the way from both in both practice sessions on Friday and Saturday morning, the Italian World Champion placed himself in the best position to start Sunday's race by claiming the top spot in qualifying; Rossi did not place himself in the best positions all afternoon, however, as the championship leader came off his Yamaha after setting a time of 1.56.145.

Lorenzo, very likely Rossi's only championship rival with the three-race absence of Ducati's Casey Stoner, will start alongside on Row 1 with Dani Pedrosa's Repsol Honda completing the first trio.

With Marco Melandri confirmed to be joining Marco Simoncelli at Honda Gresini next year, Toni Elías is currently without a ride but did not let this affect him on his way to achieving fourth position. Consistent Colin Edwards starts fifth for Tech3 Yamaha with Donington Park winner Andrea Dovizioso sixth on the second Repsol Honda machine.

The second Gresini of San Marino's Alex de Angelis will start from seventh on what looks to be a promising weekend for the team as Nicky Hayden managed to beat team-mate Mika Kallio for the first time to set off from eighth; the Finn, on his first ride for the factory Ducati squad, starts tenth with the two team-mates sandwiching the Suzuki of Loris Capirossi. Britain's James Toseland is 14th on the second Tech3 bike.

Sunday's Czech Grand Prix will get begin at 2pm local time (BST +1 / GMT +2).

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