Jorge Lorenzo took an impressive fifth consecutive pole at Laguna Seca today, the 40th of his career across all classes.
Lorenzo, who also took pole at this race last year, was fastest in this morning's free practice and looked in sublime form from the start of the qualifying session, moving to the top after just a few laps. He spent the middle part of the session fine-tuning the setting of his M1 ahead of tomorrow's race and relinquished the top spot for some time, before turning his attention back to lap times with eight minutes remaining and retaking the lead.
His only real challenger for pole was Casey Stoner, who edged the Mallorcan back into second with four minutes remaining but the championship-leader produced a stunning display on his penultimate lap to better the Australian's time by 0.191 seconds and take his fifth pole in a row.
"Pole position isn't the race but it does help so I'm really happy to have got this fifth pole," Lorenzo said.
"Everyone is working very well and this shows it once again. I didn't think it would be possible today because Casey was so fast but I decided to give it a try and pushed as hard as I could and here we are! I don't know what to expect tomorrow, it will be a hard race for sure because Dani and Casey are very strong, but we will do the best we can to fight to the end and at least make the podium. I'm excited because it's always a special race here with a great atmosphere."
2010 MotoGP United States - Laguna Seca 25/07/2010 - Qualifying 1
1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 1'20.978
2 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 1'21.169
3 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 1'21.617
4 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 1'21.655
5 Ben Spies Yamaha USA 1'21.679
6 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 1'21.688
7 Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 1'21.920
8 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 1'22.217
9 Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 1'22.300
10 Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 1'22.366
11 Marco Melandri Honda ITA 1'22.407
12 Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 1'22.647
13 Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP 1'22.712
14 Alvaro Bautista Suzuki ESP 1'22.770
15 Mika Kallio Ducati FIN 1'23.12
