MotoGP: Lorenzo takes pole in delayed qualifying

Jorge Lorenzo will start on pole position for tomorrow’s British Grand Prix after a weather-interrupted qualifying session at Silverstone.

The drama began when the fourth free practice session was cut short after a major incident at the end of the Hangar straight saw up to six bikes in the gravel after a sudden downpour flooded the track. 

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Tito Rabat, who crashed on the standing water, was getting to his feet when he was struck by Franco Morbidelli’s Honda. Suzuki’s Alex Rins was also down while Miller and Espargaro were also in the gravel but able to return to the pits. 

After a short delay while marshals swept the water from the track, Q2 got underway without incident with Bradley Smith and Alex Rins progressing to Q1.

However, with Rabat flown to hospital with suspected breaks to his femur, tibia and fibular action was paused to allow the air ambulance to return before Q2 could get underway.

The track was largely dry by the time Q2 started with the exception of between Stowe and Club corner.

Having learned the conditions, Lorenzo blitzed the field on his way to pole but was closely followed by team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, who missed out by 0.159 seconds.

A late lap from Johann Zarco sees the Frenchman complete the front row for Monster Tech 3 Yamaha, knocking home hero Cal Crutchlow from third place in the dying moments of the session.

Marc Marquez will start fifth for Repsol Honda ahead of Danilo Petrucci on the Pramac Ducati.

Andrea Iannone lines up seventh ahead of Bradley Smith, who made the most of his 15-minutes extra track time to secure a season best qualifying.

Jack Miller starts ninth after pitting for slicks only to realise the wet part of the track was too slippy for dry rubber.

Yamaha’s issues seemed to return with the poor weather leaving Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi a disappointing 11^th and 12^th.

Scott Redding enjoyed a strong qualifying and will start his last home Grand Prix in the premier class from 14^th.

Pick up this week’s MCN for an extensive, 36-page British Grand Prix preview featuring exclusive interviews with Rossi, Marquez and Lorenzo, a hot lap with Cal Crutchlow and the tech secrets between Marquez’ championship-leading Honda.

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