After dominating each of the three practice sessions for the Valencia MotoGP , one could have expected Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden to be the one to start in the front row. He will but in the end it was Ducati's Casey Stoner who was the fastest in qualifications. It was the Australian's 9th pole position this season but he had to work hard for it as both Repsol Honda's drivers were the ones to beat today. With eight minutes remaining, the Ducati Marlboro beat the Repsol Honda pair of Dani Pedrosa, second only half a tenth behind the Australian, and Nicky Hayden, two tenths behind in third.For once, the Tech 3 bikes of Colin Edwards and James Toseland finished both in front of the Fiat-sponsored factory entries of Jorge Lorenzo and series champion Valentino Rossi who finished respectively 7th and 10th. Pos Rider Bike Time 1. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:31.5022. Dani Pedrosa Honda (B) 1:31.555 + 0.0533. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:31.703 + 0.2014. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:32.212 + 0.7105. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:32.518 + 1.0166. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:32.572 + 1.0707. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:32.594 + 1.0928. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:32.614 + 1.1129. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:32.734 + 1.23210. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:32.962 + 1.46011. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:32.983 + 1.48112. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:33.017 + 1.51513. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:33.352 + 1.85014. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:33.681 + 2.17915. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:33.767 + 2.26516. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:33.848 + 2.34617. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:33.879 + 2.37718. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:34.174 + 2.672 photo: Bridgestone
MotoGP: Stoner takes 9th pole in Valencia