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Pedrosa grabs pole position in Australia

Australia's MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner has a spectacular fall from his bike during a free practice session in the lead-up to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix yesterday. Stoner was unhurt. PHOTO: AFP

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa saw off local favorite Casey Stoner to grab pole position for the Australian Moto GP at Phillip Island yesterday.

Pedrosa clocked a lap time of 1min 29.201sec on his Honda to take pole position, 0.218 faster than Italian five-time world champion Valentino Rossi on a Yamaha.

Newly crowned world champion Stoner will join the pair on the front row today after finishing third fastest on his Ducati, 0.615 behind Pedrosa.

Stoner led qualifying early yesterday before Pedrosa fired in the fastest lap late in the session.

Pedrosa's time was two-tenths of a second slower than the lap record set last year by American Nicky Hayden.

Hayden, who claimed the world title last year, will start from fourth on his Honda.

Pedrosa, currently third in the championship behind Stoner, claimed his third pole position of the season.

Meanwhile, Stoner said Rossi was not speaking to him despite his efforts to improve their relationship.

"I actually spoke to Rossi this year and basically told him I didn't want it to end up like it did with Sete or Max Biaggi," Stoner told reporters on Friday, referring to the Italian's cool relationship with rivals Sete Gibernau and Biaggi.

Spanish rider Danny Pedrosa of Team Repsol Honda speeds by yesterday during qualifying for the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island, Victoria. PHOTO: EPA

"Unfortunately, he hasn't really spoken to me in a while now and he seems to be throwing in a few comments that I'm not really so happy with but I've got no issues with him," the 21-year-old said.
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