Lorenzo pips Rossi for Catalan pole

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo produced a storming late qualifying lap yesterday to pip Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi to pole position for today's Catalan MotoGP.

In sweltering conditions at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, the 22-year-old clocked a fastest time of 1:41:974 to beat the Italian world champion by 0.013 seconds and secure his third pole of 2009.

Championship leader Casey Stoner qualified third on his Ducati, 0.452 seconds behind Lorenzo, who is in his second season in MotoGP.

Australian Stoner leads the standings after five of the season's 17 races with 90 points, followed by Lorenzo on 86 and Rossi on 81.

Rossi said he expected a tough battle today.

"It will be difficult because of the temperatures and difficult for the tyres but I think we are competitive," he said.

"The important thing is to get back on the pace, stay in front in the warm-up and have fun in the race. It will be a close battle but we know it is just one of 17 races."

Injury-plagued Dani Pedrosa, the Honda rider who is 24 points behind Rossi in fourth overall, qualified eighth for his home race after crashing near the end of the session.

He landed on his injured right hip in the gravel but did not appear to sustain any further damage.

Spanish Aprilia rider Hector Barbera took pole in the 250cc category ahead of championship leader Alvaro Bautista, also on an Aprilia.