Dominant Casey Stoner equals pole record in Valencia qualifying
World champion Casey Stoner equalled Mick Doohan's record of 12 pole positions in a single season as he dominated qualifying for the MotoGP season finale at Valencia
Stoner was at the head of the order throughout the session, which took place on a dry track as the rain that shook up 125cc qualifyng held off. The Australian was able to extend his advantage whenever he was threatened, and eventually put in a 1m31.861s to pull out a massive 1.014-second margin over his Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa in second.
Randy de Puniet nearly got his Pramac Ducati onto the front row, but was usurped from third by Yamaha's Ben Spies in the end - leaving de Puniet to be content with a season-best fourth place.
Alvaro Bautista underlined Suzuki's recent improvements in fifth, ahead of the works Ducatis of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.
While Stoner and Pedrosa filled the top two places, third works Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso struggled - crashing heavily at Turn 4 on his final lap as he ended up eighth.
Hector Barbera recovered from early mechanical problems on his Aspar Ducati to qualify 10th, with Karel Abraham completing the top 10 for Cardion AB Ducati.
Loris Capirossi (Pramac) will start his final MotoGP race from 12th, while Colin Edwards' Tech 3 stand-in Josh Hayes was slowest in his first MotoGP qualifying session, but only just behind Yamaha factory rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga, who is substituting for the injured Jorge Lorenzo.
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap 1. Casey Stoner Honda 1m31.861s 2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m32.875s + 1.014s 3. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m33.057s + 1.196s 4. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 1m33.118s + 1.257s 5. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 1m33.443s + 1.582s 6. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m33.478s + 1.617s 7. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m33.656s + 1.795s 8. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1m33.824s + 1.963s 9. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 1m34.186s + 2.325s 10. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m34.265s + 2.404s 11. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m34.329s + 2.468s 12. Loris Capirossi Pramac Ducati 1m34.671s + 2.810s 13. Toni Elias LCR Honda 1m34.680s + 2.819s 14. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda 1m34.838s + 2.977s 15. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 1m35.999s + 4.138s 16. Josh Hayes Tech 3 Yamaha 1m36.042s + 4.181s
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