Stoner pole as Pedrosa withdraws

Eurosport - Sun, 20 Jul 19:13:00 2008

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner of Australia captured his fifth straight pole position in qualifying for Sunday's US MotoGP.

2008 American GP Ducati Stoner - 0

Stoner, who dominated the free practice on Friday, clocked the fastest qualifying time of 1:20.700.

Stoner, winner here last year, had broken his track record in every practice, and he did it again in qualifying after just nine laps.

His eventual pole position record improved the previous qualifying record by more than 1.5sec.

Italian Valentino Rossi, the Yamaha rider who currently leads the overall standings, was second quickest in 1:21.147, and American Nicky Hayden (Honda) was third-fastest with a time of 1:21.430.

Spain's Dani Pedrosa, second in the overall standings, withdrew from qualifying and Sunday's race as he nurses a broken wrist and injured ankle in a fall at the German Grand Prix.

The Honda driver had hoped his injuries would allow him to compete, and he completed both of Friday's free practice sessions before throwing in the towel.

Stoner will be going for his fourth straight victory from pole as he battles to narrow the gap on Rossi in the championship race.

Rossi, the only other rider to take five straight pole positions, leads Pedrosa by 16 points while Stoner is four points adrift of the Spaniard.

Spain's Jorge Lorenzo, Briton James Toseland and France's Randy de Puniet will start from the second row.

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AFP

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. Its a pity people have forgotton that Rossi won al his races and championships on WORKS machines, and now he has someone on works machines that is better.
    Keep going Casey its fun to see them chasing you.
    Ducati is the best machine,
    What a shocking statement from Rossi , the only way to beat Stoner is to shoot him, and that in a GUN happy country, Lets keep it fair , good luck to everyone

    From hotrijder7, on Sun 20 Jul 9:35PM

  2. How can it be wasted, especially if we see an intense battle between Rossi, Hayden, Vermeulen, and maybe Lorenzo. Even if its just for podium places. Hope JT has a good race too.

    From ss_a9x@ymail.com, on Sun 20 Jul 8:59PM

  3. another wasted weekend of MotoGP. Stoner is @#$% if he doesn't win by 20 secs. Hope Rossi can bring it in second

    From max_angelos, on Sun 20 Jul 8:32PM

  4. alentino is this a new rider :)
    stoner o yes the real deal
    get ready we are in a new era this guy is the next mick doohan .

    From stoner0027, on Sun 20 Jul 6:21PM

  5. Casey Stoner has now stepped upto the plate and is on a mission to retain his status as the world No.1 It's gonna take a lot both from the Doctor & the boy wonder from spain to stop him. Come on J.T keep the Union flag flying for the Brit's.!

    From Jethrotull, on Sun 20 Jul 4:36PM

  6. nobody can stay with casey at the minute.keep it going.

    From derek.anderson63, on Sun 20 Jul 2:01PM

  7. come on rossi

    From maria r, on Sun 20 Jul 12:23PM

  8. i want alentino to win to him advantage get bigger because he is my favourito racer.
    i think Casey is in very good form but i think Rossi will can win this race and maybe in the other races.

    From andykirchen, on Sun 20 Jul 9:56AM

  9. i want alentino to win to him advantage get bigger because he is my favourito racer.
    i think Casey is in very good form but i think Rossi will can win this race and maybe in the other races.

    From andykirchen, on Sun 20 Jul 9:56AM

  10. Removing the electronics is not going to happen, time have changed, you cannot really say we will see who the best rider is then because all these riders have ridden and won championships without electronics, it should be pretty even at the moment apart from the fact stoner is on a flyer again and thats due to him not the bike, other people have the same bike and can do nothing with it, if you put rossi on stoners bike stoner would still beat him at the moment.

    From flickr, on Sun 20 Jul 8:36AM

  11. The Doctor to win for the first time at Laguna? Stoner second and Hayden third? I wouldnt bet on it turning out that way. So long as the Doctor gets away quick, which would be unusual, he has a chance of beating Stoner. If Edwards or Hayden get away who really cares they arent going to win the Championship it will only make the title race that much closer. I look forward to the rules being changed and they do away with the electronics then we will see who is the best rider

    From Robin C, on Sun 20 Jul 8:11AM

  12. Great performance from Toseland! It would be fantastic to see him involved at the front of the race.
    I've never seen Rossi try so hard (he did 38 laps!). But Stoner is just too fast and unless he makes a mistake he will win comfortably.

    From ioioccc, on Sun 20 Jul 8:02AM

  13. Casey to win and hopefully Hayden second as Casey needs to pick up more than five Pt's. over Rossi to close the gap and put some pressure on Valentino.
    Sentiment aside,Laguna has long been a favorite track (2&4wheels)my favorite moment being; Troy Corser doing the double in WSB's on his Aprilia V1000.

    From Bindle, on Sun 20 Jul 7:22AM
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