The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team sprinkled a little Misano magic on qualifying this afternoon as Jorge Lorenzo set a scorching pace to score the first Factory Yamaha pole position start of the season.

Lorenzo wasn't the only Yamaha rider on fire either as teammate Valentino Rossi put in a stunning ride to secure third on the front row to the delight of his home crowd, just 0.064 seconds behind Lorenzo.

Putting yesterday’s rain and troubles behind him, Lorenzo was quick on to the circuit for the start of the 15 minute qualifying heat and straight to work. His first flying lap delivered a 1’33.604. He kept pushing for the second lap and shaved a little off to go second with a 1’33.502 before returning to the pits for fresh rubber.

He was back on track in confident mood with a little under six minutes remaining as an intense battle got underway for the front row. A flurry of fastest sections followed by numerous protagonists but it was Lorenzo who emerged the victor, taking provisional pole with two minutes left on the clock after a scorching 1’33.238 second lap time. The lap proved unbeatable, putting the Movistar Yamaha rider on pole for the first time this year.

Rossi took his time to leave the pit lane as qualifying got underway, allowing the pack to depart before heading out into clear space. Sharing his teammate’s confident form he put in an initial 1’33.756 to slot into fourth place. His second flying lap shaved a little off, delivering a 1’33.605 to hold provisional fourth on the second row.

The Doctor then returned to the pits for fresh rubber before hitting the track and putting the pressure on. The nine-time world champion left the best for last, starting with a 1’33.513 for fifth place he then delivered a perfect lap, a stunning 1’33.302 to move up to third on the front row, just 0.064 from Lorenzo on pole.

Jorge Lorenzo - 1st / 1'33.238 / 8 laps

“Finally after a long, long time, we make a pole position so I’m very proud. From the beginning we’ve been competitive, not like in Silverstone where we had some issues. It seems like the Yamaha is working very well as Valentino is also very fast. I pushed hard in the beginning but maybe didn't know the perfect lines for the perfect lap. Then in the second tyre I made a very good lap time but just in the first section I lost one or two tenths because I made some mistakes and went wide. From section two I made an unbelievable lap so I’m very proud. The important thing is tomorrow, it’s the day we get the points so we have to make a good start and try to lead the race and win. Being on pole gives a small advantage at the start so I will try to make profit of it and push away in the first laps. It won’t be easy to go away as Vale has a good pace and the others will be there but I’m going to try.”

Valentino Rossi - 3rd / 1'33.302 / 8 laps

“This morning was not so bad but this afternoon we made a huge step with the setting of the bike and with a used tyre I could be very fast, which is the most important thing for tomorrow. I’m so satisfied because it’s the first, first row of the season. I always struggle in qualifying. In the last races I was able to improve my level to stay always on the second row but the front row is so important for tomorrow, it’s much easier to start at the front. I’m also happy because my lap time is close to the pole position, I feel good with the bike, I had a good practice and I have a good setting. It looks like the Yamaha is very competitive here so we have to fix some small things and be ready for tomorrow.”

Massimo Meregalli - Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director

“We are very pleased with both Jorge and Vale after today’s performance. Jorge rode a perfect lap to take the team’s first pole position of the year. As we said yesterday we were confident we could work hard overnight and deliver a competitive set up for the guys today. Vale was equally impressive, I think for him also this is the best qualifying of the year, perfectly under control and so close in terms of time. Our set up and package is very competitive and balanced, we are consistently very fast and the tyres are working really well. We will work to make some further small steps overnight. With the same weather conditions forecast for tomorrow I’m confident we can have both riders very much in contention to share the podium in the race.”

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