Jorge Lorenzo on pole for Sunday's San Marino MotoGP
Saturday 12 September 2015 15:05, UK
Jorge Lorenzo secured pole position for Sunday's MotoGP in San Marino, as the Spaniard bids to reduce the deficit on world championship leader Valentino Rossi.
The Yamaha rider edged out compatriot Marc Marquez by 0.106 of a second, with Rossi a further 0.106s adrift - as the trio claimed positions on the front row of the grid.
It was Lorenzo's 33rd pole in MotoGP, claimed in serene conditions close to the Atlantic coast.
His time of one minute, 32.146 seconds was almost eight-tenths of a second quicker than the record set by Marquez when he took pole two years ago.
Lorenzo goes into Sunday's round at Misano trailing teammate Rossi by 12 points, with the title likely to be decided between the two former champions.
Bradley Smith is the leading Briton in sixth spot, 0.655s off Lorenzo's pace, while Cal Crutchlow is 11th and Scott Redding 13th.
Sunday's race, which will be the 13th of 18 this season, will be contested over 28 laps
Top-10 on Grid:
1 Jorge Lorenzo (Esp) Yamaha 1:32.146
2 Marc Marquez (Esp) Honda + 0.106
3 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha + 0.212
4 Dani Pedrosa (Esp) Honda + 0.288
5 Michele Pirro (Ita) Ducati + 0.590
6 Bradley Smith (Gbr) Yamaha + 0.655
7 Andrea Iannone (Ita) Ducati + 0.675
8 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati + 0.788
9 Danilo Petrucci (Ita) Ducati + 1.023
10 Aleix Espargaro (Esp) Suzuki + 1.041
