Catalunya MotoGP: Simoncelli takes first MotoGP pole

San Carlo Honda rider Marco Simoncelli has taken his first pole position in MotoGP at Catalunya.

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner had to settle for second on the grid, just 0.016 seconds behind Simoncelli. World Champion Jorge Lorenzo gave the Spanish crowd something to cheer about by securing the final spot on the front row for tomorrow’s 25 lap race.

Lorenzo’s team-mate Ben Spies heads the second row, ahead of Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso and Brit Cal Crutchlow in sixth position. Valentino Rossi starts from seventh on the grid, directly ahead of team-mate Nicky Hayden, with Alvaro Bautista in ninth.

Colin Edwards will not take part in the Catalan MotoGP after breaking his collarbone in free practice yesterday (Friday). 

1. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 42.413s
2. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda Team 1m 42.429s
3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 42.728s
4. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 42.742s
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1m 42.749s
6. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 43.202s
7. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 43.223s
8. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 43.228s
9. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 43.447s
10. Hector Barbera ESP Mapfre Aspar Team 1m 43.656s
11. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 43.734s
12. Randy de Puniet FRA Pramac Racing Team 1m 43.764s
13. Loris Capirossi ITA Pramac Racing Team 1m 44.068s
14. Toni Elias ESP LCR Honda MotoGP 1m 44.510s
15. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1m 45.661s