Second pole for Simoncelli
Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) again set the fourth fastest time of the day, with a 1’35.143, followed by Andrea Dovizioso who was 0.101s behind the Spaniard. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Cal Crutchlow, still injured after breaking his collarbone at Silverstone two weeks ago, bravely rode to sixth on the grid, 0.085s behind the Repsol Honda of Dovizioso.
Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) had a strong qualifying run, placing as high as third in the timings fairly late in the session to finally place his Ducati in seventh with a time of 1’35.742. Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team) followed the Czech by a margin of 0.076s with Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) and Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing) completing the ten fastest times.
Valentino Rossi made several visits to the garages, attempted to find a dry set up for the Ducati team GP11.1 though did not make great improvements and will be starting the race from 11th position. Standing in for Dani Pedrosa on the Repsol Honda team, Hiroshi Aoyama will start from 12th position.
A disappointing finish was had by both Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing) and Toni Elias (LCR Honda) who both crashed out of the qualifying session.
Qualifying Results
1 | Marco Simoncelli | 1'34.718 | ITA | HONDA | San Carlo Honda Gresini |
2 | Ben Spies | 1'34.727 | USA | YAMAHA | Yamaha Factory Racing Team |
3 | Casey Stoner | 1'35.008 | AUS | HONDA | Repsol Honda Team |
4 | Jorge Lorenzo | 1'35.143 | SPA | YAMAHA | Yamaha Factory Racing Team |
5 | Andrea Dovizioso | 1'35.244 | ITA | HONDA | Repsol Honda Team |
6 | Cal Crutchlow | 1'35.329 | GBR | YAMAHA | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 |
7 | Karel Abraham | 1'35.742 | CZE | DUCATI | Cardion AB Motoracing |
8 | Colin Edwards | 1'35.818 | USA | YAMAHA | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 |
9 | Nicky Hayden | 1'35.866 | USA | DUCATI | Ducati Marlboro Team |
10 | Randy De Puniet | 1'36.435 | FRA | DUCATI | Pramac Racing |
11 | Valentino Rossi | 1'36.564 | ITA | DUCATI | Ducati Marlboro Team |
12 | Hiroshi Aoyama | 1'36.580 | JPN | HONDA | Repsol Honda Team |
13 | Hector Barbera | 1'36.590 | SPA | DUCATI | Paginas Amarillas Aspar |
14 | Alvaro Bautista | 1'36.820 | SPA | SUZUKI | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP |
15 | Loris Capirossi | 1'37.130 | ITA | DUCATI | Pramac Racing |
16 | Toni Elias | 1'37.651 | SPA | HONDA | LCR Honda MotoGP |
17 | Kousuke Akiyoshi | 1'39.006 | JPN | HONDA | San Carlo Honda Gresini |