Updated on
Summary
Italys Valentino Rossi grabbed pole position under the rain for the German Moto Grand Prix on Saturday. The Yamaha rider clocked 1min 32.52sec to snatch top spot by just 0.640sec from Spanish teammate Jorge Lorenzo for his third pole of the season after Japan and the Netherlands and the 54th of his career. Australian Casey Stoner was third fastest at 1.239sec ahead of American Nicky Hayden who finished fourth after surviving a dramatic fall in treacherous conditions which brought down six riders. For Rossis teammate Lorenzo this was the Spaniards ninth consecutive front row qualifiying position. Behind the top three, Hayden, San Marinos Alex De Angelis and Frenchman Randy De Puniet make up the second row. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, winner of the US MotoGP, clocked just the eighth fastest time behind American Colin Edwards and Italian Loris Capirossi. The torrential rain produced a series of spectacular falls, including Alex De Angelis who was flung onto the tarmac while his bike continued at full speed towards the barrier where it burst into flames. Weather forecasts Sunday are for dry conditions and temperatures of 20 degrees celsius. In 250cc, qualifying world champion Marco Simoncelli grabbed his second pole of the season, while Spains Julian Simon will set off from the front in the 125cc division.
