Spies clinches Indianapolis MotoGP pole

Indianapolis MotoGP
Date: 29 August 1945-2100, BBC Three and Online

Spies put in a late charge to clinch his first career pole position

Ben Spies of the United States captured his first career pole position after dominating qualifying for the Indianapolis MotoGP.

Spies clocked a time of one minute 40.105 seconds to finish more than 0.2sec ahead of championship leader Jorge Lorenzo.

He will replace Valentino Rossi and join up with Lorenzo at the factory Yamaha team next season.

Spies left it until the final two minutes for his fastest lap.

Lorenzo had twice put himself on top of the standings in the final 15 minutes before Spies gave the fans at the Brickyard a late thrill.

Lorenzo was second-fastest in 1:40.325. American Nicky Hayden, the 2006 world champion, was third in 1:40.336.

The Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider was thrilled to have achieved pole position on home soil.

"This is a great feeling for me and for it to come in front of the American crowd and here at Indianapolis with all the history makes it even more special," he said.

"And I'm glad for the team too. This team helped catapult me into this position and I've been trying to give as much for them as I can, even though I'll be moving to Yamaha's factory team next year.

"I've got to say I really put it on the line. I'd come so close at Brno a couple of weeks ago to getting my first pole position and I really wanted to finish the job on home soil.

"There was no way coming into this weekend that I thought this result was possible. But I've been able to do it and now I'm going to concentrate on getting a good start and giving it everything in the race.

"I'd love a podium and my best result at home but I'm not going to get ahead of myself."

Indianapolis GP qualifying result:

1. Ben Spies (U.S.) Yamaha 1:40.105
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spn) Yamaha 1:40.325
3. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Ducati 1:40.336
4. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 1:40.559
5. Dani Pedrosa (Spn) Honda 1:40.637
6. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1:40.664
7. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 1:41.005
8. Marco Simoncelli (Ita) Honda 1:41.092
9. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 1:41.232
10. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki 1:41.512