Qatar MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo dreaming, Valentino Rossi screaming

Jorge Lorenzo became the first rider to claim a debut MotoGP pole position for a decade in Qatar tonight as Valentino Rossi had to watch Yamaha and Michelin dominate the first qualifying session of 2008.

Lorenzo admitted he was in dreamland after he denied James Toseland the honour of being the first rookie to claim a debut pole position since Max Biaggi in 1998.

The double world 250 champion topped the timesheets with just two minutes remaining when he set the only sub 1.54 lap of the session.

A fastest of 1:53.927 edged out Tech 3 Yamaha rider Toseland, who had threatened a major shock in his first taste of MotoGP qualifying.

With Lorenzo and James Toseland first and second, Yamaha and Michelin’s domination was complete when American Colin Edwards claimed third on the front row.

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo said: “Only in my dreams did I imagine being on pole at my very first MotoGP race; I can’t believe it!

“This is something great for all of Yamaha; there are three Yamaha riders on the front row and this shows how hard they have been working. Tonight my M1 was working very well and with the Michelin qualifying tyres it was excellent, but also our race pace is very good.

“Tomorrow will of course be very difficult; it’s my first MotoGP race so there is a lot to think about, but I am excited and of course we will try to do our best and see what happens!

“The team and Michelin have done a great job over the winter so this is a thank you to them. I will try to get a good start and I will have to concentrate very hard on the first lap when the tyres are cold, and then we’ll see what happens.

“Tomorrow is another day however and for the moment I just want to think about this and celebrate a special night for me and for Yamaha.”

Valentino Rossi was the worst of the four Yamahas under the Losail Circuit floodlights, though he was largely hampered by the inferior performance of Bridgestone’s qualifying tyres.

The 29-year-old was only seventh with a best time of 1:55.133, which was over a second off Lorenzo’s pace.

And while he was off the pace of the Michelin tyres he controversially dumped last season, he remained confident that he can mount a challenge to Jorge Lorenzo and reigning world champion Casey Stoner.

Valentino Rossi said: “After the test we knew that we weren’t going to be in perfect shape for the qualifying; we tried a few modifications but we weren’t able to completely fix the problem and so I couldn’t challenge for the front row.

“This aside however, I’m pleased with the progress we made today and our race pace is much better than yesterday. We’re still missing a couple of tenths from the front but we have a few small modifications planned and I think we’re in okay shape for the race.

“The third row isn’t great but we know that the Bridgestone tyres work very well straight away and so if I get a good start then I hope I can challenge at the front.

“The bike is feeling good, we’ve found some more grip compared to yesterday and for sure I can say that we’re in better shape than last year.

“Congratulations to Lorenzo because he was very impressive tonight and this shows that our bike is very good.

“It’s only the first race and I’m quite relaxed; I feel good on the bike, I can ride it exactly how I want to and now we’re just waiting for tomorrow.”