Andrea Dovizioso gave his team something to smile about as he put his Honda on pole for Sunday’s Japanese MotoGP Grand Prix.
The Italian has been quick around Motegi all weekend finishing second place practice on Friday and Saturday before going one better to claim his first premier-class pole position of his career.
Dovi will line up alongside champions Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner with championship leader Jorge Lorenzo behind him in fourth.
“We’re looking good for the race because my style is usually not to go at my absolute maximum pace in practice and qualifying, so I’m hopeful for tomorrow,” said the rider.
The result comes as some comfort to the Honda team after Dovi’s team-mate Dani Pedrosa broke his collarbone. The Spanish rider had an 18-hour journey back to Barcelona via Paris for surgery today. After two hours on the operating table, the surgical team at the Dexeus University Institute Hospital fixed a titanium plate to his collarbone and
Pedrosa’s compatriot Marc Marquez, meanwhile, continued to dominate qualifying in the 125cc class by claiming pole for the ninth time this season.
MotoGP Qualifying:
1. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Honda 1:47.001
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 1:47.055
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 1:47.464
4. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha 1:47.295
5. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 1:47.464
6. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha 1:47.648
7. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Honda 1:47.752
8. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) Honda 1:47.914
9. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Suzuki 1:48.002
10. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Suzuki 1:48.068
11. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati 1:48.182
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