German MotoGP, Sachsenring
Date: 18-19 July
Saturday 18 July: Qualifying: 1150-1500, BBC Red Button/online
Sunday 19 July: 125cc & 250 cc races 0950-1205, BBC Red Button/online
Race live: 1230-1400, BBC Two/online; MotoGP Extra, 1400-1430, BBC Red Button/online
 Rossi could not have left it any later to claim pole position |
Valentino Rossi snatched pole position for Sunday's German MotoGP in the dying seconds of a rain-soaked qualifying session at Sachsenring. His Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo was second, with Ducati duo Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden third and fourth. Six riders, including Hayden, fell in treacherous conditions, with Hayden's the most alarming spill of the lot. As he flew off his bike he collided with Niccolo Canepa who was passing him, forcing both off into the gravel. Hayden appeared to escape without serious injury but the Italian rider was taken away seemingly in some pain, although he should be fit to ride on Sunday.  | 606: DEBATE |
"Conditions were really tough," said Rossi, who will start on pole at Sachsenring for the first time. "There was a river running through the track at one point. So it's a really important pole. But I hope, like everyone, that we'll have nice weather tomorrow." Lorenzo was carrying a shoulder injury from last week's race in California and said he was happy with his day's work. "At the end it was very easy to crash so I didn't want to push too much or take too many chances, it was important to be careful," he said. "Second place is very good." Stoner, who has been plagued by ill health in recent weeks, told BBC Sport he too was happy with his showing. "I'm pretty happy to be upright to be honest," said the Australian. "These guys (Rossi and Lorenzo) seem to be on rails, there were no mistakes for them but my bike was all over the shop. "I said 'I want all my limbs intact' - front row is plenty for us, but these two guys' bikes don't seem to be moving an inch." In qualifying for the 125cc race, Bradley Smith came second behind championship leader Julian Simon, with Marc Marquez in third place.
German MotoGP qualifying result: 1 V Rossi (It) Fiat Yamaha 1'32.520
2 J Lorenzo (Sp) Fiat Yamaha 1'33.160
3 C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1'33.759
4 N Hayden (US) Ducati 1'34.404
5 A de Angelis (SMR) Honda 1'34.490
6 R de Puniet (Fr) Honda 1'34.564
7 C Edwards (US) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'34.607
8 D Pedrosa (Sp) Honda 1'34.725
9 L Capirossi (It) Suzuki 1'34.741
10 M Kallio (Fin) Ducati 1'34.771
11 A Dovizioso (It) Honda 1'34.892
12 C Vermeuluen (Aus) Suzuki 1'34.937
13 M Melandri (It) Kawasaki 1'34.938
14 J Toseland (GB) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'35.005
15 N Canepa (Ita) Pramac Racing 1'36.012
16 G Talmacsi (Hng) Scot Racing 1'36.055
17 T Elias (Spn) San Carlo Honda 1'36.531 125cc qualifying result: 1 J Simon (Spn) Aprilia 1'38.671secs
2 B Smith (GB) Aprilia 1'39.686
3 M Marquez (Spn) KTM 1'40.010
250cc qualifying result: 1 M Simoncelli (Ita) Gilera 1'32.962
2 H Barbera (Spn) Aprilia 1'33.105
3 A Bautista (Spn) Aprilia 1'34.246
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