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MotoGP: Stoner grabs pole

Rossi and Lorenzo make up front row on grid

Last updated: 30th August 2008

Stoner: needs a win

Australian world champion Casey Stoner boosted his hopes of narrowing Valentino Rossi's championship lead in Sunday's San Marino Gran Prix by claiming pole position in Saturday's qualifying.

Stoner lapped the Misano circuit near Rimini in 1:33.378 on his Ducati, over a half a second faster than Rossi's 1:33.888.

Italian Rossi, who is 50 points ahead of Stoner in the standings after taking his total up to 237 with wins in the preceding races in the Czech Republic and the United States, will be joined on the front row by his Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Spaniard Lorenzo recorded a best lap of 1:33.964.

French Honda rider Randy de Puniet is fourth on the grid, while Toni Elias qualified fifth on his Ducati.

Spain's Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, who is third in the standings with 172 points, completes the second row.