With the second soft tire I was 0.2s faster than my best lap, so it was already a front-row time. The nine-time world champion though was relieved to have crashed in such circumstances. Rossi’s big money switch to Ducati will be confirmed after tomorrow’s 22-lap race
Casey Stoner said his failure to overcome a rear grip issue cost him the chance to claim a front-row start for tomorrow’s Czech Republic MotoGP clash at the Brno circuit. The Aussie logged the fourth best time with his 1.56.868 just 0.003s away from bumping Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo off the front row. We'll see how the confidence of Jorge (Lorenzo) and Valentino (Rossi) is for tomorrow because they both crashed. I didn’t feel comfortable for any lap during the practice. We hope the engine is okay for tomorrow. For tomorrow the only goal is to be a little bit faster to make a good race.”
Repsol Honda Pedrosa claimed his first pole position since the Mugello round in early June and he said: “It was a great qualifying session and to be back on pole position is fantastic after such a long time - the last time was in Italy at the beginning of June. I won't really be approaching the race tomorrow with a particular strategy. Reigning World Superbike champion Spies was still delighted to have clinched his first ever premier class front row start, the 26-year-old sandwiched in between Pedrosa and Lorenzo on the grid for the 22-lap race. Spies said: “My goal was to be on the second row and I didn't think the front row was possible, let alone a pole position. The 2006 world champion will start the 22-lap race from eighth on the grid having clocked a best time of 1.57.635. But he faces a tough battle to contend for the top six tomorrow after a big crash at Turn 3 during this afternoon’s decisive qualifying session at the Brno circuit.
Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo continued his remarkable season on Sunday by claiming his first win at the Brno circuit, and his seventh total victory of the 2010 MotoGP Championship. The podium was rounded out by Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa and Marlboro Ducati’s Casey Stoner, both putting in excellent runs in front of the 148,000 fans who packed the Brno circuit.
Meanwhile Lorenzo and Pedrosa were trading the fastest lap time back and forth up front. The championship leader gradually began to pull ahead of Pedrosa as Stoner settled in behind them.
As the race wore on the top-five riders became more separated, and Lorenzo eventually crossed the line by a full 5.494 seconds ahead of Pedrosa. With his latest victory Lorenzo has extended his lead within the championship to 77 points. On his return to racing since he fractured his leg in Germany, LCR Honda’s Randy de Puniet completed the top-10.
Taking his fourth win of the 2010 season in Moto2 was Gresini Racing’s Toni Elias. The Spaniard put in a carefully controlled ride ahead of Tech 3 Racing’s Yuki Takahashi and Fimmco Speed Up’s Andrea Iannone to take the win and increase his lead in the championship to 55 points. Also, Elias’ latest victory marks the 100th podium finish of th Gresini team in the world championship series.