Cal Crutchlow yesterday became the first Briton to qualify on pole for a round of the MotoGP World Championship in over a decade as he claimed top spot for today’s Dutch TT at Assen.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider has enjoyed an excellent season to date, taking two podium finishes, and he continued that impressive form as a lap of one minute 34.398 seconds saw him beat off the Honda of Marc Marquez by three-tenths of a second.

The last British rider to take pole for a race in the top class was Jeremy McWilliams at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix.

Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo missed the session after breaking his collarbone in a heavy practice crash on Thursday, while Marquez was hindered by the broken finger and toe he suffered in an accident yesterday morning.

But the Honda rookie was still able to secure a front-row start, with Stefan Bradl doing a fine job to round out the top three on his LCR Honda.

Valentino Rossi was again fourth for the factory Yamaha squad, while championship leader Dani Pedrosa was fifth.

The Spaniard had led the way halfway through the session, but he opted not to go out again after a crash as he attempted to im-prove his time.

Crutchlow’s team-mate Bradley Smith was an encouraging career-best sixth as he rides for the first time since undergoing surgery on injuries to his hand and wrist.

Despite missing the session, Lorenzo is 12th on the grid thanks to his fast time in Thursday morning practice.

The Spaniard had been set to miss the rest of the weekend, but yesterday flew back to Assen following surgery on his collarbone, meaning he could yet race if he is given medical clearance.