Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo has taken a narrow pole position during qualifying for the bwin Grand Prix České republiky at Brno.

Lorenzo’s time in the high 1.55s only marginally beat Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow into second on the grid, despite the Brit crashing half way through the session.

For Crutchlow, who re-signed with the squad for another year today, this is his best MotoGP qualifying result to date.

Completing the front row is Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, whose session got off to a bad start after dropping his bike in the early stages.

Row two is headed by Lorenzo’s team-mate Ben Spies in fourth. The Texan held second in the dying stages of the session, only to be beaten by late laps from Crutchlow and Pedrosa.

In fifth, Tech 3’s Andrea Dovizioso was not able to beat his team-mate’s time, and also had to park his bike up on the side of the track at the end with a technical issue.

Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi lines up in sixth place, recording his best qualifying result since joining the Italian outfit last year.

Local LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl will start seventh from San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, Cardion AB Racing’s Karel Abraham, and Power Electronics Aspar’s Randy de Puniet.

Qualifying, MotoGP