News

Honda''s Dani Pedrosa will start from pole position in Sunday''s French MotoGP Grand Prix after setting the fastest time in Saturday''s qualifying session.

Pedrosa took pole with a lap of one minute 33.974 seconds, only five thousandths of a second faster than fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo on his Yamaha.

Ducati''s Australian Casey Stoner was third fastest in 1:34.049 while Italy''s world champion Valentino Rossi qualified fourth and off the front row on his Yamaha.

Spain''s Sete Gibernau did not take part in the qualifying session after fracturing his collarbone in a heavy crash during the morning''s practice session. He has been ruled out of the race.

French MotoGP Grand Prix qualifying result:

1. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 1 min 33.974 secs
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 1:33.979
3. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 1:34.049
4. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 1:34.106
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 1:34.300
6. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 1:34.330
7. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki 1:34.676
8. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 1:34.839
9. Marco Melandri (Italy) Kawasaki 1:35.008
10. Randy de Puniet (France) Honda 1:35.399