Edwards wins pole in Shanghai with new record
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| Colin Edwards on his Yamaha |
| MotoGP |
In the latest chapter of his surprise resurgence with the Tech 3 Yamaha team, Colin Edwards took pole position for the Pramac Grand Prix of China with a last-gasp lap of the Shanghai International Circuit.
Having previously been amongst the frontrunners in the practice sessions, Edwards smashed Valentino Rossi’s 2007 pole position record by nearly three tenths of a second with a lap of 1´58.139 in the final stages of the qualifying run. He was the only rider to do so, thus claiming pole position number three of his MotoGP career and his first since moving to the satellite Yamaha outfit.
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| Colin Edwards in post-qualifying press conference |
| MotoGP |
Rossi himself will start from second place on the grid, with a 1´58.494 lap only slightly slower than his marker from last year. The Italian battled for victory with eventual race winner Casey Stoner in 2007, and a repeat of this could be on the cards if the pair can get past Edwards and break away.
The front row will be completed by 2007 World Champion Stoner, who lines up in the top three for the first time this season. The Australian was in contention for pole throughout the session, before eventually succumbing to the pace of the Yamaha riders.
Qualifying – Results
1 C. EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha 1'58.139
2 V. ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team + 0.355
3 C. STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team + 0.452
4 J. LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team + 0.572
5 D. PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team + 0.716
6 L. CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 0.802
7 J. TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha + 1.115
8 C. VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 1.186
9 R. DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP + 1.218
10 N. HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team + 1.368
11 A. DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP + 1.420
12 M. MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team + 1.539
13 S. NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1.577
14 J. HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team + 1.601
15 T. ELIAS SPA Alice Team + 1.794
16 A. DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini + 2.177
17 S. GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team + 2.621
18 A. WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team + 2.699