 Rossi failed to finish the US MotoGP three weeks ago |
World champion Valentino Rossi will start the Czech MotoGP from pole position after dominating qualifying. The Yamaha rider, who needs to win on Sunday to revive his title bid, clocked one minute 56.191 seconds to set a new lap record for the Brno circuit.
Italian compatriot Loris Capirossi steered his Ducati to a close second in 1:56.441, with American Kenny Roberts third on a KR211V in 1:56.603.
Championship leader Nicky Hayden starts fourth and Briton James Ellison 16th.
The American Hayden, who leads Rossi by 51 points, was 0.503 behind the Italian.
The pole success was only Rossi's second of the season and the five-times MotoGP champion was understandably happy.
He said: "I raced the last few laps with special, softer tyres but I have to admit I was racing at my limits.
"In the end the final lap was great and to set a 1:56.1 was unbelievable.
"Pole position is definitely better than starting from the fifth row like in other races so for this I am very happy.
"We still need to decide two or three things about the setting before the race, but I am quite competitive."
Qualifying result:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 1:56.191
2. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Ducati 1:56.441
3. Kenny Roberts Jr. (U.S.) KR211V 1:56.603
4. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 1:56.694
5. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Kawasaki 1:56.770
6. Toni Elias (Spain) Honda 1:56.875
7. John Hopkins (U.S.) Suzuki 1:56.913
8. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 1:56.967
9. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 1:57.139
10. Randy de Puniet (France) Kawasaki 1:57.185
16. James Ellison (GB) Yamaha 1:59.011
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