Stoner takes San Marino GP pole position

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Stoner takes San Marino GP pole position

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MotoGP championship leader Casey Stoner secured his eighth pole position of the season.

04 September,2011 03:01 am

Stoner clocked 1 minute, 33.138 seconds on his Honda at the San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix, breaking the Australians own lap record set at the Misano circuit three years ago.Spaniards Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa were second and third respectively.Lorenzo timed 1:33.258 and Pedrosa finished in 1:33.318.Local favourite Valentino Rossi, the seven-time champion from Italy who has struggled with Ducati this season, timed 1:34.676 and finished 11th.With five races remaining after this weekend and wins worth 25 points each, Stoner holds a 44-point lead over Lorenzo in the standings.Stefan Bradl of Germany led Moto2 qualifying ahead of Spains Marc Marquez and Japans Yuki Takahashi.Johann Zarco of France took his second pole of the season in 125cc, while Spaniards Hector Faubel and championship leader Nicolas Terol qualified second and third respectively.