British MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo storms to Silverstone pole

Jorge Lorenzo claimed his first pole position of 2010 today as fellow front row qualifiers Randy de Puniet and Dani Pedrosa suffered fast late crashes in a dramatic session.

Lorenzo steered his Fiat Yamaha YZR-M1 to a best time of 2.03.308 to finish just 0.126s clear of Frenchman de Puniet, who had threatened a big shock with his first premier class beckoning in the final stages.

The LCR Honda rider was a massive 0.729s clear of the field with just 13 minutes of the session remaining and he only lost top spot to current world championship leader Lorenzo in the decisive final stages. 

But just as de Puniet threatened to retaliate with a brilliant late attack, he crashed his satellite RC212V at the fast Farm Curve left-hander where Ben Spies fell heavily this morning.

He was able to walk away unhurt, but unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa.

The Spaniard was third quickest and looking to lower his time of 2.03.586 when he crashed his factory RC212V machine at the Brooklands Corner near the end of the lap.

It looked a fairly innocuous front-end loss but then Pedrosa got tangled up with his bike and he needed to be taken away from the scene by stretcher having immediately grabbed his right leg.

With Valentino Rossi already out for at least five races, the last thing the championship needs is another injury to one of its biggest names, though Pedrosa was able to walk into the Silverstone medical for checks unaided and it seems certain he will be fit to start tomorrow’s first British GP at Silverstone since 1986.

Andrea Dovizioso will start his bid for a second successive British GP success from fourth on the grid. His best time of 2.03.995 was 0.409s away from the front row.
Completing the second row will be Ducati duo Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner.

Hayden posted a best time of 2.04.332 to finish just over a second behind Lorenzo but the American was 0.062s ahead of team-mate Casey Stoner.

The Australian logged a best time of 2.04.394 but sixth is his worst qualifying result of the season.

Spies will start seventh on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 after he shrugged off the pain from a left ankle injury he suffered in this morning’s second free practice session.

Marco Melandri, Marco Simoncelli and Colin Edwards rounded out the top ten.