Photography Gold & Goose
Jorge Lorenzo has taken a dramatic pole position by 0.081s from Movistar Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi for the crucial Japanese MotoGP.
Lorenzo pulled out a 1:43.790s lap to seal pole seconds after it looked like Rossi would complete an incredible turnaround in form after the Italian spent the first day languishing 0.8s behind after day one.
Lorenzo and Rossi consistently broke the lap record late in Qualifying 2 to edge clear of an injured Marc Marquez on the Repsol Honda, himself improving from seventh on day one.
“Pole position, for just a little bit, is still pole position,” Lorenzo said tellingly. “The humidity has been going up and it has not been so easy to be competitive, but we have a good pace to the rest of the riders.”
Rossi’s turnaround in speed was the story of qualifying, as the Italian fights to defend his slender 14 point title lead with four rounds remaining.
“Today we did a good fight, a good strategy, but I made a very small mistake. Is a shame because the pole position doesn’t happen so much for me. But we are in a good position to fight with Jorge tomorrow.”
The top five was completed by Ducati duo Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone.
1 Jorge Lorenzo Spa Yamaha 1:43.790s
2 Valentino Rossi Ita Yamaha +0.081
3 Marc Marquez Spa Honda +0.426
4 Andrea Dovizioso Ita Ducati +0.532
5 Andrea Iannone Ita Ducati +0.646
6 Dani Pedrosa Spa Honda +0.792
7 Aleix Espargaro Spa Suzuki +1.019
8 Cal Crutchlow Gbr Honda +1.142
9 Bradley Smith Gbr Yamaha +1.277
10 Maverick Viñales Spa Suzuki +1.291
