MotoGP
Valencian GP: Ducati qualifying report
STONER TAKES NINTH POLE POSITION OF THE SEASON AT VALENCIA Casey Stoner equalled the record for most pole positions in a MotoGP season today, taking his ninth of the campaign to level with Valentino Rossi's effort from 2003. The Ducati Marlboro ...
Published: Oct 25, 2008, 10:39 PM
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STONER TAKES NINTH POLE POSITION OF THE SEASON AT VALENCIA
Casey Stoner equalled the record for most pole positions in a MotoGP season today, taking his ninth of the campaign to level with Valentino Rossi's effort from 2003.
The Ducati Marlboro Team technicians worked well to correctly judge the difficult track conditions, with spots of rain falling at the mid-point to cause frenetic action in pit-lane. Stoner worked with his team to quickly find a suitable dry setting for his Ducati before fitting three qualifying tyres - improving his lap time with each of them.
Marco Melandri, third fastest in the wet conditions this morning, ran into problems again this afternoon and his confidence took a further blow when he ran off track.
CASEY STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) Pole Position in 1'31.502
"That was a really strange session because of the weather but the team did a good job to judge the conditions well and adjust the setting of the bike during the limited dry track time available. It seems this track isn't as demanding on my wrist as Sepang was because there aren't as many hard braking areas, although I went out without strapping today and that didn't turn out to be the best decision. We'll strap it up tomorrow but I don't think it will be a problem. It's important to be on the front row because it is so hard to pass at this circuit and it's also nice to take the final pole position of the season. Hopefully the weather stays dry - for us and for the incredible fans here."
MARCO MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 18th fastest in 1'34.174
"When the times were slower on the wet track this morning I managed to lap amongst the fastest riders without even pushing that hard, but when I did push the old problems returned. I had hardly any feeling with the bike and made a lot of mistakes, including running straight at the final turn but thankfully I managed to slow the bike down before I hit the tyre wall. The situation didn't improve after that and I didn't even get qualifiers on, so I'll be starting from the back tomorrow."
-credit: ducati.com
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