Qatar MotoGP: Stoner starts from pole

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner will start the first race of the 2011 season on pole after setting the fastest time during qualifying today.

Team-mate Dani Pedrosa was the only other rider who could come close to Stoner’s time and will start from second on the grid, ahead of reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo.

Marco Simoncelli set the fourth fasest time, after languishing mid pack for most of the session before improving in the final moments.

Brit Cal Crutchlow will start his first MotoGP race from eighth on the grid, ahead of Valentino Rossi in ninth and team-mate Colin Edwards in 10th.

1.  Casey Stoner  AUS Repsol Honda Team  1m  54.137s 
2.  Dani Pedrosa  ESP Repsol Honda Team  1m  54.342s 
3.  Jorge Lorenzo  ESP Yamaha Factory Racing  1m  54.947s 
4.  Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini  1m  54.988s 
5.  Ben Spies  USA Yamaha Factory Racing  1m  55.095s 
6.  Hector Barbera  ESP Mapfre Aspar Team  1m  55.223s 
7.  Andrea Dovizioso  ITA Repsol Honda Team  1m  55.229s 
8.  Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3  1m  55.578s 
9.  Valentino Rossi  ITA Ducati Marlboro Team  1m  55.637s 
10.  Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3  1m  55.647s 
11.  Randy de Puniet  FRA Pramac Racing Team  1m  55.656s 
12.  Hiroshi Aoyama  JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini  1m  55.724s 
13.  Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team  1m  55.881s 
14.  Loris Capirossi  ITA Pramac Racing Team  1m  56.323s 
15.  Karel Abraham  CZE Cardion AB Motoracing  1m  56.665s 
16.  Toni Elias  ESP LCR Honda MotoGP  1m  57.992s