2009 Australian MotoGP – qualifying
17-10-09 by Mark M
The qualifying session for the 2009 Australian MotoGP saw a rejuvenated Casey Stoner take pole from rival and championship leader Valentino Rossi by a miniscule .050 seconds with a best time of 1′30.341 aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.
Stoner’s team had used a number of setup combinations to get the best out of the bike but it was Valentino Rossi who calmly remains the biggest threat to Stoner for tomorrows race. While taking up the number grid position it was Rossi’s consistency throughout the whole circuit that is most ominous for the other contenders. Even switching between bikes Rossi was fast and when he’s in this mood, he’s a hard man to beat.
Dani Pedrosa has proved that the Honda RC212V is a much improved bike of late and this is reflected in the Spaniards time of 1′31.070, 0.729 seconds slower than pole-sitter Stoner. Despite the third position, Pedrosa expects a tough race considering the pace of the top two men. A crash in the session apparently hasn’t caused much physical damage.
Jorge Lorenzo has been struggling since arriving at the circuit but put in a gritty showing to come up with a best time of 1′31.071, just being pipped to third by his Spanish rival and countryman. It doesn’t get much closer than that and might make Jorge think twice before reaching for that extra croissant at breakfast on Sunday!
Laying low for most of the weekend but producing the goods when needed was Colin Edwards. The Yamaha Tech 3 rider was right on the pace of the two riders immediately in front of him and could surprise a lot of people come Sunday. Just 0.025 seconds off Lorenzo’s time, Edwards will need to make a great start to be in the hunt for a podium finish.
Alex de Angelis had a tumble in qualifying like quite a few of the other riders but also produced a time that could see him in the hunt for a podium finish. His fastest lap of the session was a 1′31.260.
Nicky Hayden (Bracksy’s pick for a podium!) snuck into seventh place aboard the factory Ducati with Randy de Puniet, Mika Kallio and Andrea Dovizioso rounding out the top ten.
Grip has played a major part in the weekends affairs so far and this is due to the recent weather washing away ‘the good rubber’. Even when the circuit had fresh rubber laid down earlier by some brilliant support races, this was again washed away in a torrential downpour later in the evening.
Sunday is going to be an interesting race for sure! db
Results:
1 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1′30.341
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1′30.391 +0.050
3 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1′31.070 +0.729
4 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1′31.071 +0.730
5 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1′31.096 +0.755
6 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1′31.260 +0.919
7 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1′31.325 +0.984
8 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1′31.380 +1.039
9 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1′31.384 +1.043
10 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1′31.472 +1.131
11 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1′31.640 +1.299
12 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1′31.722 +1.381
13 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1′31.873 +1.532
14 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1′32.190 +1.849
15 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1′32.338 +1.997
16 41 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1′32.752 +2.411
Not classified
88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati
Tags: 2009, Australian MotoGP, qualifying
