Motegi MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo takes surprise pole

Michelin rider Jorge Lorenzo has surprised everybody by taking pole position at Motegi with a record time of 1.45.543.

Lorenzo, who tomorrow will run a Lupin III tribute paint scheme will be looking to convert the pole to a podium finished, to continue his run of podiums from the front row.

Current champion Casey Stoner will line up next to Jorge Lorenzo, second on the grid, followed by soon-to-be team-mate Nicky Hayden, who is the highest placed Honda on the grid.

Championship leader Valentino Rossi starts from the front of the scond row in fourth as he looks to take the 2008 MotoGP title at Motegi tomorrow.

Rival Dani Pedrosa will join Vale on the second row in fifth. Rounding out the second row will be MotoGP veteran Loris Capirossi.

WSB champion James Toseland qualified 10th round a track which he is unfamiliar with.

The top 10

1. Jorge Lorenzo
2. Casey Stoner
3. Nicky Hayden
4. Valentino Rossi
5. Dani Pedrosa
6. Loris Capirossi
7. Colin Edwards
8. Randy De Puniet
9. Shinya Nakano
10. James Toseland

Click here for the full results