Honda’s Pedrosa powers to pole at Czech MotoGp

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, riding a Honda, took pole position at the Czech Republic MotoGP in Brno yesterday, timing 1 minute 56.508 seconds for his third pole of the 2010 campaign.

Rookie American Ben Spies, on a Yamaha, was second fastest just missing out on his first ever pole position while overall leader Jorge Lorenzo, also on a Yamaha, was third fastest after a far from perfect session by the Spaniard which saw him come off his bike.

Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi – who has made a remarkable recovery from a broken leg suffered earlier in the season – also crashed and will start from fifth on the grid.

Australia’s former world champion Casey Stoner had also a far from smooth qualifying session but will start in fourth position.

Meanwhile, Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista’s participation in today’s race is in the balance as the Spaniard suffered a heavy fall in morning practice and a decision on whether he races or not will be taken just before today’s race.

Lorenzo has won seven times so far this season. In the championship standings, he leads Pedrosa by 72 points after nine of the 18 races.

Today's Grid

1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 1min 56.508sec, 2. Ben Spies (Yamaha) at 0.338sec, 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 0.357, 4. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 0.360, 5. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 0.551, 6. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 0.609, 7. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 0.714, 8. Nicky Hayden (Ducati) 1.127, 9. Hector Barbera (Ducati) 1.452, 10. Loris Capirossi (Suzuki) 1.473, 11. Randy de Puniet (Honda) 1.581.