Over half a second ahead of Jorge Lorenzo (#99), Valentino Rossi (#46) takes the pole in qualifying practice at the Shell Advance Malaysian Moto GP. Dani Pedrosa (#3) is third on the front row, followed by Casey Stoner (#27), Loris Capirossi (#65) and Toni Elias (#24) on the second row. On the third row, we find Nicky Hayden (#69), Randy De Puniet (#14), and Colin Edwards (#5). James Toseland (#52) was off pace, and ended up sixteenth on the grid ahead of only Gabor Talmacsi (#41).
Italian rider Valentino Rossi powers his Yamaha during the qualifying session of the Malaysian MotoGP motorcycle racing at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. Rossi took the pole position for Sunday's race. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Rossi smashed his previous pole record on the track. Casey was sliding his Ducati into and out of the turns, but could only manage to stay within .937 seconds of Rossi.
Lorenzo crashed at Sepang in his debut season, last year. But this season and this week, is back in form and is ready to challenge Rossi, "feeling quite quick," with a setup he likes.
Fiat Yamaha Team's Jorge Lorenzo of Spain controls his bike during the second practice session at the Sepang international circuit, Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Ching Kien Huo)
For Rossi, with only a fourth place (13 points) finish required to clinch the World Championship title, the top priority is merely to finish the race. He can afford to hand the podium to Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Stoner in exchange for a safe ride and a fourth place finish.
The race at Sepang will be run on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 3PM local time. With the 12 hour difference to the DC area's Eastern time-zone, they'll wrap up the race by 4AM our time. The race will air on the Speed channel at 6PM Eastern.
For more information:
- Rossi a race away from the Championship after the Phillip Island MotoGP
- Malaysian MotoGP Qualifying Practice Results
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