Dovizioso takes first pole
Italian rider takes best qualifying position of career at Japan MotoGP as Lorenzo looks set to coast towards title.
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| Dovizioso said he was ‘happy and surprised’ to take his first pole position [AFP] |
Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso claimed pole for the first time in his career ahead of the Japanese MotoGP.
Champion-elect Jorge Lorenzo, whose closest championship challenger Dani Pedrosa will miss the race after a crash in practice, qualified fourth for Yamaha.
Italian Dovizioso set a quickest lap of one minute 47.001sec in front of defending world champion Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha and Ducati’s Casey Stoner at Motegi.
“I’m so happy and surprised,” Dovizioso said on Saturday.
“We’ve improved a lot. Normally my style is not to go too fast in practice. I’m sure we can have a strong race.”
Lorenzo, virtually assured the title after fellow Spaniard Pedrosa fractured his collarbone on Friday, was upset at missing the front row for the first time this year.
“I would have liked to have been on the front row in Japan – Yamaha’s home,” said Lorenzo after signing a new two-year deal for the team earlier in the day.
“But it’s only qualifying and the most important thing is that we’re ready for the race. We have a good pace and we only have one or two more small things still to work on.
“This afternoon I tried the new engine for the first time and it felt good in the high gears.”
Pedrosa, who trails Lorenzo by 56 points with five races remaining, suffered a multiple fracture of his left collarbone and is likely to miss the next three races.
The Honda rider was the only man in a position to overtake Lorenzo in the world championship.