James Toseland’s smile matched the sunshine as he equalled his best ever MotoGP qualifying performance at the Red Bull US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. The 27 year old Yorkshireman was fifth fastest and will start from the second row of the grid riding the Tech 3 Yamaha.
“With the right package I’m capable of a good race tomorrow, “ explained Toseland, who last raced at Laguna four years ago.” It’s been frustrating in free practice but it gave me the chance to re-learn the track and check out the lines. I’ve worked closely with the team to sort out the problems and the result our best qualifying since that opening round in Qatar.”
Two hours after the qualifying session Toseland was back in action but on his piano when his band Crash entertained the fans at the circuit.
Stoner at Home as Pedrosa Flies HomeJust as Casey Stoner was comfortably securing his fifth successive pole position after qualifying in first position for the Red Bull US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, Spaniard Dani Pedrosa was boarding a plane at San Francisco airport to fly home. After one day of practice on the Repsol Honda, Pedrosa decided the injured hand, wrist and ankle he sustained six days ago when he crashed leading the German Grand Prix had not healed enough for him to race and defend his second place in the Championship.
Once again it was last year’s winning combination, Stoner and the Marlboro Ducati that have totally dominated proceeding over the last two days around the 2.243 miles Californian circuit. The hour long qualifying session was no exception and Stoner smashed every record in sight to become the first rider to lap under one minute 21 seconds with a new lap record of one minute 20.700 seconds.
Championship leader Italian Valentino Rossi, who signed a new two year contract with Yamaha last night, put in a tremendous effort on the Fiat Yamaha and finally qualified just under half a second adrift in second place. He’s joined on the front row of the grid for the 32 lap race by double Laguna winner Nicky Hayden who was the first of the Michelin riders on the Repsol Honda.
In the sunny conditions the San Carlo Gresini duo of Alex De Angelis and Shinya Nakano, American Jamie Hacking and Spaniard Toni Elias crashed. De Angelis broke his thumb in the crash but will be fit to ride tomorrow.
Rossi’s plan to prevent Stoner winning his fourth successive Grand Prix – “To start 30 seconds earlier”, joked the seven times World Champion, who has probably got it right!.
