After taking two crashes, Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo will start Sunday's 32-lap MotoGP race from pole position that is if he's fit enough to ride.
Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo captured pole position today in a wild qualifying session at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Lorenzo was the first rider to get into the 21s and set a time of 1:21.939 early in the session, slotting him right in front. The time held up until Marlboro Ducati’s Casey Stoner knocked him off with a 1:21.910 lap.
Lorenzo would then take a high-speed front end crash in Turn 10. He sprinted back to the paddock, got back on his back-up bike, and within minutes he beat Stoner’s time, putting him back in control.
With the clock quickly running out Lorenzo continued to push and suffered a vicious high-side, with the 22-year-old Spaniard landing on his head and cartwheeling into the gravel. In fact, he crashed so hard I‘d be surprised if he even starts tomorrows 32-lap race. We later learned that Lorenzo damaged his foot and collarbone to an unknown extent and it's doubtful that he'll be able to race tomorrow. However, he said he will try to ride in Sunday morning's warm-up.
"I was trying to push but first I had some traffic and then the tires were cold and I wasn't in the right shape to improve my time. I'm disappointed for these two crashes but I am okay and I am optimistic that I will be able to ride tomorrow. Thanks to all the American people here for their support," said Lorenzo.
Moments later Stoner also high-sided in Turn 3. Like Lorenzo, his crash was heavy and necessitated him being carted off in a stretcher. Stoner was later seen hobbling back to the pits. Stoner claims that while he's sore, he will be fit to race tomorrow.
With two of the top riders out of commission, Rossi desperately tried to put in a faster lap and was successful in bumping Stoner on his last lap, slotting him into second position.
“Yes, first I hope Casey and Jorge are fit to race tomorrow,” said Rossi. “I am very happy about my second position. We have some problems to fix. The last part of the track I’m not that strong at and we need to work to improve my time. For sure it will be a great battle.”
Stoner’s time held up for third and like Lorenzo, I’d be amazed if he’ll be able to ride tomorrow. The Repsol Honda’s of Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso were fourth- and fifth-fastest, followed by Toni Elias aboard his San Carlo Gresini Honda racebike.
Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa managed the final front row starting position.
American’s Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden were next in seventh and eighth position and were within a second off the top three riders.
Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Qualifying Results:
1. Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha – 1:21.678
2. Valentino Rossi – Yamaha – 1:21.845
3. Casey Stoner - Ducati – 1:21.910
4. Dani Pedrosa - Honda - 1:22.113
5. Andrea Dovizioso – Honda - 1:22.135
6. Toni Elias - Honda - 1:22.146
7. Colin Edwards – Yamaha - 1:22.490
8. Nicky Hayden - Ducati - 1:22.540
9. Chris Vermeulen – Suzuki - 1:22.633
10. Loris Capirossi - Suzuki - 1:22.662
11. Marco Melandri – Kawasaki - 1:22.842
12. Alex De Angelis - Honda - 1:23.004
13. Sete Gibernau – Ducati - 1:23.106
14. Randy De Puniet - Honda - 1:23.147
15. James Toseland – Yamaha - 1:23.390
16. Niccolo Canepa - Ducati - 1:23.912
17. Gabor Talmasci – Honda - 1:24.528
