It takes more than a massive highside crash to phase Factory Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo, who set pole position in this afternoon's qualifying session at Laguna Seca. Hours earlier, the reigning World Champion had experienced a nasty crash during the morning's free practice session. According to MotoGP.com, Lorenzo had forgotten to hit a switch that overrides the launch control system and engages the traction control during a practice start, thus launching himself into the air and across the gravel when he put the throttle at full stick. While the crash looked rather spectacular, Lorenzo was able to get up on his own free will while corner workers assisted him off the race track. "I thought my weekend was over," explained Lorenzo following the crash.
Yamaha Factory rider Jorge Lorenzo before his spectacular fall Saturday morning
However, the Yamaha rider didn't seem to be bothered by the crash by the time Qualifying rolled around. He set the fastest lap time within the first fifteen minutes of the session, and bettered that time towards then end of the session to set pole position with a time of 1:21.202; his second pole position of the season.
Jorge Lorenzo accepts the Tissot Pole Position Award following Saturday's Qualifying
Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner was second in Qualifying and continues to struggle with the set up of his motorcycle. The team hopes to make some improvements this evening in time for Sunday afternoon's race.
Dani Pedrosa completed the front row with a time of 1:21.385. He explained that he couldn't get the best drive with the soft tire, however the team was very pleased with a front row start. They hope to make some improvements and get a better drive from the rear tire in order to be competitive on Sunday.
American Ben Spies qualified in 4th position with a time of 1:21.578. The Yamaha Factory rider set the crowd on fire when he jumped to the top of the leader board briefly during qualifying. He was not able to hang onto pole position, however, and settled for a respectable 2nd row start.
Wildcard rider Ben Bostrom continues to improve his lap times on the LCR Honda and qualified in 18th position with a time of 1:25.191.
Riders take to the grid at 2pm local time on Sunday for 32 laps of fast-paced racing action at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway in central California.
