Marco Simoncelli on pole in spain

Marco Simoncelli claimed the first pole position of his career after qualifying fastest for Sunday's Catalunya MotoGP.

The Italian's late lap of one minute 42.413 seconds knocked Casey Stoner into second, with Jorge Lorenzo third.

Simoncelli was the target of much pre-race criticism after a collision with Dani Pedrosa in France which put the Spaniard out of his home race.

"It's the best way after the incident in the last race and a lot of polemic - I'm happy," said Simoncelli.

"I didn't expect [to be fastest] because Stoner was fast for all the session, but in the last part of qualifying we found a good set-up. I'm happy and confident for tomorrow."

Stoner had been quickest in the three practice sessions and was on course for his fourth pole in five races, until Simoncelli beat his time by just 0.016 seconds right at the end of qualifying.

Catalunya MotoGP qualfying results:

1 M Simoncelli (It) Gresini Honda 1'42.413

2 C Stoner (Aus) Repsol Honda 1'42.429

3 J Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha 1'42.728

4 B Spies (US) Yamaha 1'42.742

5 A Dovizioso (It) Repsol Honda 1'42.749

6 C Crutchlow (GB) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'43.202

7 V Rossi (It) Ducati 1'43.223

8 N Hayden (USA) Ducati 1'43.228

9 A Bautista (Sp) Rizla Suzuki 1'43.447

10 H Barbera (Sp) Aspar Ducati 1'43.656

11 H Aayama (Jpn) Gresini Honda 1'43.734

12 R de Puniet (Fr) Pramac Ducati 1'43.764

13 L Capirossi (It) Pramac Ducati 1'44.068

14 T Elias (Sp) LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'44.510

15 K Abraham (Cze) Ducati 1'45.661

Moto2 qualifying:

1 S Bradl (Ger) Kalex 1:46.753

2 A Espargaro (Sp) Pons Kalex @ 0.114 secs

3 Y Takahashi (Jpn) Moriwaki @ 0.225 secs

125cc qualifying result:

1 N Terol (Spa) Aprilia 1min 51.281secs

2 H Faubel (Spa) Aprilia 1:51.683

3 M Vinales (Spa) Aprilia 1:52.099

source: bbc - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motogp/13654778.stm

The expected fireworks at Catalunya at the weekend failed to materialise. Simonceli fluffed his start and from then on was never a threat to the front runners.Stoner is still proving the one to beat but Lorenzo looks very steady and he is finishing every race which counts for a lot.I'm still sticking with Stoner to be champion at the end of the season but who will be second now that Pedrosa has had a bit of a setback. I will stick my neck out and bet that Rossi will not win a race this year.