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Page last updated at 13:22 GMT, Saturday, 1 May 2010 14:22 UK

Dani Pedrosa seals pole for Spanish MotoGP in Jerez

Spanish MotoGP, Jerez
Date: 1-2 May
Sunday 2 May: 125cc and Moto2 races: 0950-1205, BBC Red Button/online (Moto2 race not available on Freeview) Race live: 1230-1400 BST, BBC Two/online; MotoGP extra: 1400-1430, BBC Red Button/online (Not Freeview)

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa
Dani Pedrosa claimed pole despite problems with his bike

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has claimed pole position for Sunday's Spanish MotoGP in Jerez.

Pedrosa, who finished seventh in the opening race in Qatar, set a time of one minute, 39.202 seconds to finish ahead of Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.

However, Pedrosa was not happy after qualifying, saying: "The bike is not working. There are a lot of problems."

Australian Casey Stoner completed the front row while reigning world champion Valentino Rossi will start from fourth.

MotoGP - Jerez qualifying reaction

Rossi, who has been struggling with a bruised shoulder, headed the second row along with American Nicky Hayden and Frenchman Randy De Puniet.

Hayden recovered after a crash during practice earlier in the day.

The top six riders were separated by less than half a second and the stage is set for a thrilling race on Sunday.

Pedrosa set the fastest time on his 19th lap with 1:39.461 which he further improved in the dying minutes of qualifying.

"It's always nice to get pole position and especially here because it is my home race and the support from the fans is amazing," added Pedrosa, 24, after claiming his 14th MotoGP pole position.

"I really didn't expect this pole to be honest. The new frame is delivering some improvements but we're not all the way there yet and we must continue to work on the stability to be competitive over race distance."

606: DEBATE

Rossi, who bruised his shoulder in a motocross accident earlier in the month, won in Jerez last year as well as the opening race of this season in Qatar.

"Of course it would be better to be on the front row but fourth is OK and I'm very happy about how much we have improved since this morning," said the 31-year-old Yamaha rider.

"My shoulder feels a lot better. I am still lacking a bit of strength but the pain is OK. I am hoping for a great race tomorrow for all the fans."


Spanish Grand Prix qualifying result:

1. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 1:39.202
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 1:39.487
3. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 1:39.511
4. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 1:39.558
5. Nicky Hayden (US) Ducati 1:39.560
6. Randy de Puniet (France) Honda 1:39.591
7. Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 1:39.970
8. Ben Spies (US) Yamaha 1:39.989
9. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 1:40.021
10. Marco Melandri (Italy) Honda 1:40.027

Moto2 qualifying result:

1. Shoya Tomizawa (Japan) Suter 1:44.372
2. Julian Simon (Spain) RSV 1:44.374
3. Toni Elias (Spain) Moriwaki 1:44.424

125cc qualifying result:

1. Marc Marquez (Spain) Derbi 1:46.829
2. Pol Espargaro (Spain) Derbi 1:46.933
3. Efren Vazquez (Spain) Derbi, 1:47.275

7. Bradley Smith (GB) Aprilia 1:47.753
8. Danny Webb (GB) Aprilia 1:48.164



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see also
Shoulder problem holds back Rossi
30 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
Steve Parrish's MotoGP column
30 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
Matt Roberts on MotoGP
01 May 10 |  MotoGP
Cloud forces Japan MotoGP switch
19 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
Rossi injured in motocross fall
16 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
Matt Roberts' MotoGP column
10 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
Rossi wins as Stoner crashes out
11 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
Lorenzo 'not 100% fit' for Qatar
08 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
What makes Rossi great
08 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
All set for Rossi v Stoner again
02 Apr 10 |  MotoGP
Cool Rossi crowned world champion
25 Oct 09 |  MotoGP


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