BBC Sportmotorsport

Lorenzo has had an instant impact in MotoGP

Jorge Lorenzo was in stunning form on Saturday as he claimed his third pole position in as many races for Sunday's Portuguese MotoGP at Estoril.

The Yamaha rider set a new lap record of one minute 35.715 seconds to push championship leader Dani Pedrosa of Honda into second place.

Valentino Rossi, who held the previous lap record, qualified in third with Britain's James Toseland in sixth.

Defending MotoGP champion Casey Stoner could only manage ninth on his Ducati.

"Each pole position has felt like a dream and I can't believe I am here again!," said Lorenzo.

"I am very proud to have a record like this and in fact I'm especially happy to have qualified in front here because this track has always been quite difficult for me and I've never been on pole at it before."

Portuguese MotoGP qualifying result:

1 J Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha 1:35.715
2 D Pedrosa (Sp) Honda 1:35.948
3 V Rossi (It) Yamaha 1:36.199
4 N Hayden (US) Honda 1:36.266
5 C Edwards (US) Yamaha 1:36.289
6 J Toseland (GB) Yamaha 1:36.790
7 Dovizioso (It) Honda 1:36.998
8 R de Puniet (Fr) LCR Honda 1:37.223
9 C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1:37.253
10 J Hopkins (US) Kawasaki 1:37.346