Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo will start from pole position for the Malaysian MotoGP after holding off Honda’s Dani Pedrosa and Tech3 Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso.
The Spaniard’s set a new track record to earn his seventh pole of the year and once again sets up another duel with Pedrosa.
Still coming to grips with his Honda after returning only last week in Japan from leg injuries, Australia’s Casey Stoner was fourth fastest ahead of the other Tech3 Yamaha of Cal Crutchlow.
Ben Spies was sixth ahead of Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá. The factory Ducati’s will start ninth (Nicky Hayden) with Valentino Rossi back in 11th.
The CRT grid battle was won by Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaró, who qualified in 12th just behind Rossi. Avintia Blusens’ Yonny Hernandez did not take part in qualifying and will not participate in the race tomorrow, after dislocating left shoulder in a crash on Friday.
MotoGP : Qualifying
|
Pos. |
Rider |
Nation |
Team |
Bike |
Km/h |
Time |
| 1 | Jorge Lorenzo | SPA | Yamaha Factory Racing | Yamaha | 323.8 | 2’00.334 |
| 2 | Dani Pedrosa | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 325.9 | +0.194 |
| 3 | Andrea Dovizioso | ITA | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 324.6 | +0.233 |
| 4 | Casey Stoner | AUS | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 321.6 | +0.477 |
| 5 | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 320.0 | +0.844 |
| 6 | Ben Spies | USA | Yamaha Factory Racing | Yamaha | 320.3 | +0.851 |
| 7 | Hector Barbera | SPA | Pramac Racing Team | Ducati | 316.4 | +0.960 |
| 8 | Stefan Bradl | GER | LCR Honda MotoGP | Honda | 322.6 | +1.157 |
| 9 | Nicky Hayden | USA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 323.3 | +1.192 |
| 10 | Alvaro Bautista | SPA | San Carlo Honda Gresini | Honda | 320.3 | +1.306 |
| 11 | Valentino Rossi | ITA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 322.8 | +1.449 |
| 12 | Aleix Eepargaro | SPA | Power Electronics Aspar | ART | 304.7 | +2.508 |
| 13 | Randy de Puniet | FRA | Power Electronics Aspar | ART | 306.2 | +3.055 |
| 14 | Karel Abraham | CZE | Cardion AB Motoracing | Ducati | 313.6 | +3.440 |
| 15 | Michele Pirro | ITA | San Carlo Honda Gresini | FTR | 300.5 | +3.818 |
| 16 | James Ellison | GBR | Paul Bird Motorsport | ART | 303.9 | +4.181 |
| 17 | Danilo Petrucci | ITA | Came IodaRacing Project | Ioda-Suter | 300.8 | +4.392 |
| 18 | Colin Edwards | USA | NGM Mobile Forward Racing | Suter | 306.1 | +4.607 |
| 19 | Roberto Rolfo | ITA | Speed Master | ART | 303.1 | +4.766 |
| 20 | Ivan Silva | SPA | Avintia Blusens | BQR | 299.1 | +5.587 |
| Yonny Hernandez | COL | Avintia Blusens | BQR |
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