MotoGP: Pedrosa takes pole position

The 26-year-old Honda rider — taking his 41st career pole spot and his 23rd in MotoGP — was 0.018sec quicker than 2010 champion and compatriot Jorge Lorenzo on a Yamaha. Briton Cal Crutchlow will start from third spot having finished 0.0144sec slower.

Dani Pedrosa during qualifying for the San Marino GP

Pedrosa, who trails Lorenzo by 13 points in the overall standings after 12 races, said: “It’s very important to start in front because the first parts of the circuit are very narrow.”u00a0