MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo recovered from a morning crash to issue another strong challenge to championship leader Casey Stoner by putting Yamaha on pole at the US Grand Prix on Saturday.
A day after overshadowing Stoner to finish quickest in official practice, the 24-year-old Spaniard again secured the top slot with a best lap of 1 minute, 21.202 seconds on the sun-soaked Laguna Seca circuit.
Australia’s Stoner, the 2007 MotoGP world champion who has finished on the podium in his last seven races, was second in 1 minute, 21.274 seconds, with Honda’s Spaniard Dani Pedrosa third in 1 minute, 21.385 seconds.
Photo: Reuters
American Ben Spies, who briefly led late in the one hour session before being eclipsed by Lorenzo, was fourth in 1 minute, 21.578 seconds to give the home fans cause for celebration.
However, Lorenzo was the dominant rider in qualifying at one of his favorite venues after initially fearing that yesterday’s race might have been over for him following a nasty spill in the morning’s final practice session.
The Spaniard crashed after a practice start during his cool-down lap and was struck by his bike as he slid across the gravel.
Stoner, who leads second-placed Lorenzo by 15 points in the overall standings, ended a frustrating afternoon by posting his fastest time in his 29th and final lap.
Fellow Honda rider Pedrosa, fresh from victory at last week’s German Grand Prix, was largely satisfied with the performance of his bike in qualifying.
With nine races completed this season and nine rounds to go, Stoner leads the championship standings with 168 points. Lorenzo has 153 and Italy’s Andrea Dovizioso is third with 132 points.
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