Record-breaking Lorenzo beats Rossi for San Marino MotoGP pole

Cal Crutchlow was seventh-fastest, while Dani Pedrosa, Aleix Espargaro and Pol Espargaro finished in the top 10.

Lorenzo’s best lap time of 1min 31.868 has given him a major chance of registering his fourth win at the circuit renamed in honour of the late Italian rider Marco Simoncelli. With FP4 commanded by home hero Valentino Rossi, it was however his teammate who put in the first real challenge for pole as Lorenzo put in the first low 1:32 effort of the session.

Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati team managed to charge into Q2 in P6.

“It’s a great feeling to end the day in first, even if it is just the beginning of the weekend and with the plans that we have for tomorrow, we hope to continue progressing”. After setting a good time, I felt I could do more.

“We know that it’s more hard here than last week, we can see that from Marc and Dani, but we still have some work to do overnight and then I’ll do the best job I can”. Another positive from today is that my physical condition after the nasty crash in qualifying-1531/”>Silverstone is not affecting my riding whilst on track. “When I saw the time I couldn’t believe it!” The Austrian MotoGP victor Iannone will be assessed Saturday morning to see if he’s fit to ride.

Spaniard Maverick Vinales, who is replacing Lorenzo at Yamaha next season when the champion switches to Ducati, qualified third for Suzuki after winning the previous race in Britain.

Lorenzo’s 1m31.868s was the first ever sub 1m32s time around the Riviera Di Rimini circuit as he secured his 64th pole – taking him one above Marc Marquez and Rossi in the record books.

Championship leader Marc Marquez qualified fourth.

The 22-rider grid returns to Misano Saturday for two additional free practices ahead of the two 15-minute qualifying sessions.