Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies claimed his first front row start of the season today at the Silverstone circuit in qualifying for tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Great Britain. The Texan timed his hot lap to perfection, and took provisional pole until topped by Alvaro Bautista by just 0.106 seconds. As a result Spies will start on the front row in second position for the race.

Team mate Jorge Lorenzo started qualifying as the early leader having improved on yesterday’s set up. As the session continued he gradually dropped and was in third with just under a quarter of the session remaining. Unfortunately the rain soon followed, negating any possibility of a faster lap. The Mallorcan stayed on track for several laps waiting for a break in the weather but was unable to find a dry lap. As a result he will start from the second row in fourth place for tomorrow’s race.

Ben Spies - Position 2nd - Time: 2'03.409 - Laps 19

“It was difficult conditions today again, like yesterday but it was the same for everybody. We tried our hardest, I’m happy for the team as they gave me a great bike and we set our best time with the hard rear tyre. When I put the soft one on we were a couple of tenths up then I made a mistake and hit the curb, I had a good lap going but messed it up. I’m just happy to be on the front row and working well with the team, let’s see what tomorrow brings.”


Jorge Lorenzo - Position 4th - Time: 2'03.763 - Laps 19

“That was a so-so session. I had hoped to be on the front row but it wasn’t possible because it started raining so I didn’t have a good fast lap to get up there. I stayed on the track for a while in case it stopped raining but it didn’t happen. Fourth position is not so bad and we have some options to try for tomorrow. It’s going to be a complicated race because it could rain and there will be a lot of wind. Let’s stay calm and see what happens.”

Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager

“That was actually quite a positive result for qualifying, maybe not the position but the bike set up was more stable than yesterday which is what we wanted. We still have space to improve as it’s not exactly how we want it. It was also a shame that it was wet at the end as I think it could have been a hot end to the session. I think it’ll be a close race tomorrow.”


Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director

“The front row is very important. I think it could have been possible to get pole but unfortunately Ben ran off so we lost the opportunity. It’s also a pity that it started to rain in the last five minutes which compromised the front row for Jorge. The pace of our bikes is very good and everything is working pretty well, including the weather forecast for tomorrow. We’ll wait and see how it is but we’re optimistic and looking forward to the race.”



Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Andrea Dovizioso's bid to secure a second front row start in 2012 was ended by a late rain shower in the final stages of qualifying for the Hertz British Grand Prix today.

The Italian was just about to start his push for a fast lap time on Bridgestone's soft tyres when a short but heavy rain shower started to fall on the super fast Silverstone circuit with just over eight minutes of the session remaining.

The rain intervention made it impossible for Dovizioso to improve on his best lap tim e of 2.04.304 and he will start in eighth place on the grid for tomorrow's 20-lap race.

Although he will start from the middle of the third row, Dovizioso remains optimistic that he can extend his outstanding record in the British Grand Prix, despite not feeling 100% comfortable on his YZR-M1 in blustery conditions.

The former 125cc World Champion is the only rider starting tomorrow's race to finish on the podium at Silverstone in 2010 and '11 and his solitary MotoGP victory came in the 2009 British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

British rider Cal Crutchlow's participation in his home race is in doubt after he fell heavily during this morning's final practice session.

The 26-year-old lost control of his YZR-M1 machine at the fast Chapel Curve and he suffered a heavy blow to his left foot and ankle. After initial checks in the Silverstone Circuit Medical Centre, he was transferred to hospital in Oxford for scans to determine the exact extent of the damage.

Crutchlow was unable to take part in the qualifying session but if he is declared fit to start the 20-lap race, he will be allowed to do so from the back of the grid having posted the eighth quickest time in practice yesterday.

Further updates on Crutchlow's injuries will be made available at the earliest opportunity.

Andrea Dovizioso - Position 8th - Time 2'04.304 - Laps 21

“It is a big pity that the rain came at the end of the session because I am confident I could have been much higher up the grid. It will not be easy starting from eighth pos ition because it is a very short run to the first corner and you need to be close to the front to avoid any trouble and be in contention right from the start. It wasn't a very good session and I think some of that is down to me. Like yesterday the wind was really strong and it is difficult to ride close to the limit in those conditions. I just didn't feel comfortable and because of that I wasn't relaxed like normal on the bike and I felt rigid. The wind was so strong in places that keeping control of the bike was very difficult. I am still confident that the times I was doing before the rain came will be competitive in the race. We need to wait and see what the weather will do but I have a good record in the British Grand Prix and hope it continues tomorrow. I also hope Cal will be able to start the race. I know his home race is very important to him and all of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team hope his injuries won't stop him from riding.”

2012 MotoGP United Kingdom - Silverstone 16/06/2012


1 Alvaro Bautista Honda ESP 2'03.303

2 Ben Spies Yamaha USA 2'03.409

3 Casey Stoner Honda AUS 2'03.423

4 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 2'03.763

5 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 2'03.835

6 Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 2'03.876

7 Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 2'04.162

8 Andrea Dovizioso Yamaha ITA 2'04.304

9 Stefan Bradl Honda GER 2'05.035

10 Valentino Rossi Ducati ITA 2'05.416

11 Aleix Espargaro ART ESP 2'06.283

12 Randy De Puniet ART FRA 2'06.303

13 Yonny Hernandez BQR-FTR COL 2'06.814

14 Michele Pirro FTR ITA 2'07.016

15 Colin Edwards Suter USA 2'07.376

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