MotoGP news

Lorenzo on pole for Portuguese Grand Prix

Jorge Lorenzo continued to dominate the weekend as the Spaniard will start Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix from pole position. He will be joined on the front row by team-mate Valentino Rossi and Ducati's Casey Stoner.

The Spaniard has not won from pole this year, but he will hope to do so on Sunday as he seeks to reduce the 30-point advantage his team-mate Valentino Rossi enjoys at the top of the standings. Lorenzo's best Saturday time of 1'36.214 on the 27th of his 29 laps was enough to put him at the front of the grid for the round 14 contest. 

On the other side of the Fiat Yamaha pit-box Rossi reminded his colleague that he will be in and around him on Sunday whatever happens, the Italian lapping a quarter of a second behind Lorenzo. 

A commendable effort by Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro), on his return to GP action after two months away due to illness, saw the Australian former World Champion bounce back with a front row result - courtesy of a best time just 0.054s slower than Rossi's fastest. 

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) has been close to the front in all three sessions so far and is likely to be a threat from the front of the second row on Sunday. The Catalan rider was around half a second off Lorenzo's pace. 

In fifth place again was the best performing satellite rider of the year so far, Colin Edwards, who has looked consistently fast throughout the weekend on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine. 

Completing the second row is Randy de Puniet who no longer appears to be suffering from the ankle injury he picked up in the summer and is doing a great job for the LCR Honda team in 2009. 

The third row features Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki), Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro), whilst the QP top ten was rounded off by Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing).

more news

• 24 Nov.
  • Podium for Rossi in sports car race
  • Surgery successful for de Puniet
• 20 Nov.
  • Rossi and Newey to contest endurance race
• 18 Nov.
  • Lorenzo recovering after operation
  • Dovizioso: Progress being made
  • Finland expands television deal
• 17 Nov.
  • 2010 Czech GP brought forward
• 13 Nov.
  • Bulgarian Grands Prix now in doubt
• 11 Nov.
  • Photos: Wednesday in Valencia
  • Pedrosa: One thing at a time
  • Valencia Day 3: Stoner back at front
  • Scot Racing pulls out of championship
• 10 Nov.
  • Valencia Day 2: Lorenzo goes quickest
  • Photos: Tuesday in Valencia
  • Provisional 2010 calendar released
• 09 Nov.
  • Photos: Monday in Valencia
  • Valencia Day 1: Stoner on top
  • Champions pick up 2009 trophies
• 08 Nov.
  • Frustrating end of the season for Stoner
  • Pedrosa enjoys home victory
  • Small mistake dropped Lorenzo to third
  • Maximum result for Rossi at Valencia
  • Photos: Sunday in Valencia
  • Pedrosa dominates in Valencia
• 07 Nov.
  • Rossi struggles at Valencia
  • Lorenzo enjoys 16th front row of the season
  • Stoner confident at Valencia
  • Unbeatable Stoner grabs pole position at Valencia
  • Photos: Saturday in Valencia
  • Stoner also fastest in second practice Valencia
• 06 Nov.
  • Gusts affecting bike performance, says Pedrosa
  • Photos: Friday in Valencia
  • Rossi: Quite a lot of work to do
  • Lorenzo searching for home victory
  • Stoner leads Friday practice in Valencia
• 05 Nov.
  • Suppo to leave Ducati
  • Valencia extends contract to 2016
• 04 Nov.
  • Spies reveals special Valencia livery
• 03 Nov.
  • Canepa to miss season final in Valencia
  • Rossi: Now we can enjoy ourselves

Homepage