The man with an affinity for all things golden, Jorge Lorenzo continued to display his MotoGP Midas touch in an amazing qualifying session in Estoril, putting himself on pole for Sunday afternoon´s bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal and smashing nearly half a second off the pole record set by Fiat Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi in 2006.

Lorenzo clocked a time of 1´35.715 in the final stages of the MotoGP session to maintain his 100% pole position record in the premier class. He becomes the first rider since qualifying records began to take three from three in his rookie season, following on from top spots in Qatar and Jerez.

"We more or less expected this," said the confident Spaniard, adding, "We didn't get a perfect lap, but in the end it was enough for pole. It's like we're in heaven, dreaming; for us everything that happens right now, whether it be pole positions or podiums, is a gift. Tomorrow we will fight as we always do, but still we have no pressure to win races and championships. If victory comes one day, then we'll be the happiest people on earth."

Current World Championship leader Dani Pedrosa once again goes head to head with his countryman and arch-rival, as the only other rider to go round in under 1´36. The Repsol Honda rider has the chance to win consecutive races in MotoGP for the first time, but will have no shortage of competition in Sunday´s race.

The only Bridgestone rider on hand to prevent a Michelin clean sweep at the top of the timesheet, Valentino Rossi defended the Japanese tyre manufacturer´s honour with his first front row since switching to the Bridgestone-shod Yamaha M1 package at the start of the season. He pushed his bike to the limit in his attempts to take pole, forced to make a spectacular save in the final minutes.

Behind the five-time MotoGP World Champion with an enviable record in Portugal, Repsol Honda´s Nicky Hayden has also been going strong during the practice and qualifying sessions. The American heads the second row, ahead of the Tech 3 Yamaha duo of Colin Edwards and James Toseland. It was announced today that the relationship between the team and factory would be extended until the end of 2010, with Toseland onboard the M1 until at least the end of 2009, and the Briton will be looking to justify the decision with another top race result.

Andrea Dovizioso was the fastest satellite Honda in seventh place, onboard the JiR Team Scot RC212V, whilst final Michelin-shod rider Randy de Puniet placed eighth. The Frenchman seemingly lacked confidence with grip after a morning crash, evidenced by his choosing to run the bike off track rather than lean into an early corner.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner starts from the tail end of the third row in Estoril, after a problematic qualifying run. To add insult to injury, the Australian was also involved in a battle of gestures from new-boy Lorenzo early on in the session.

Kawasaki´s John Hopkins completed the top ten, whilst there was a high-speed lowside crash for Suzuki´s Loris Capirossi once the qualifying rubber went on the GSV-R.

After coming so close to his maiden 250cc win two weeks ago, Marco Simoncelli now has another shot at a first victory in the class from pole position in Portugal, beating Andrea Dovizioso´s pole position record from 2007.

The Metis Gilera rider´s first pole position in the class confirmed his provisional top spot from Friday afternoon, with a 1´40.257 lap three tenths of a second faster than anything rival Alvaro Bautista could muster up. The two riders who so spectacularly collided on the final lap in Jerez will now line up side by side on the Estoril grid, with the desire for a win never greater.

Series leader Mattia Pasini joins the duo on the frontline, despite suffering a lowside in the opening moments of the Saturday session. The Italian has twice been on the podium since making his debut in 250cc, and has the second placed rider in the World Championship -Red Bull KTM´s Mika Kallio- alongside him on the front row in Portugal.

JiR Team Scot´s Yuki Takahashi leads the second row, ahead of fellow Japanese rider Hiroshi Aoyama, Lotus Aprilia´s Alex Debon and Emmi-Caffe Latte Swiss star Thomas Luthi.
 

125cc World Championship leader Simone Corsi will start Sunday´s bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal from pole position, having upped the pace in the final qualifying session.

The Jack&Jones WRB rider is looking for his first back-to-back victories in the lower cylinder class, and a 1´53.367 lap of the Estoril circuit gave him the best opportunity to do so as he edged out American Stevie Bonsey for the pole.

DeGraaf Grand Prix rider Bonsey took his best ever qualifying result, and was on course to beat Corsi´s initial fast time until the Italian simultaneously raised the bar. A late hot lap from Nico Terol allowed him to join teammate Corsi on the front row, which is completed in turn by Bonsey´s garage partner, Danny Webb.

Out to regain the top position in the overall classification, Sergio Gadea heads the second row of the 125cc grid, onboard the Bancaja Aspar Aprilia ahead of compatriot Joan Olive, second placed in the standings Stefan Bradl, and Frenchman Mike di Meglio.

A nasty incident during the session involved the latter, who concludes the second line of attack. Whilst attempting a fast lap and rounding another rider, he ran into the back of Ivan Maestro, sending both into the gravel. Maestro stood up to protest the injustice of the situation, whilst Derbi rider Di Meglio was stretchered away holding his groin.

from InfoMotoGP