A TACTICAL mistake cost Casey Stoner pole position for today's
MotoGP race as young Spaniard Dani Pedrosa reeled off the
quickest lap of the weekend to snare top spot.
Stoner, whose Ducati had been quickest in each of the three
practice sessions and for the bulk of yesterday's qualifying
session, will start from third on the grid after Italian Valentino
Rossi laid down the second-fastest time in a furious final period
of qualifying.
Pedrosa, who beat Stoner for the 250cc title two years ago and
was tipped to be the chief threat to Rossi for this year's MotoGP
crown, scored his eighth career pole and his third for the year
with a lap of one minute 29.201 seconds.
Today's race is set up perfectly, with the three top riders in this
year's championship standings occupying the front row of the
grid. With all three practice sessions marred by rain, Stoner's
Ducati team opted to put down a quick time early, expecting
the weather to hamper those leaving their runs late. Nineteen
minutes into the session, while... full story on theage.com.au
pic: Casey Stoner of Team Ducati falls during Free Practice for the
2007 GMC Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.