It has been almost five months since Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo has taken pole position in a MotoGP round but that's what he did today on the Montegi circuit ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. He also set a new qualifying record.

Casey Stoner (Ducati), who lead part of the qualifying session, finished second just ahead of late comer Nicky Hayden (Honda) who bumped series leader Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) to fourth in the final stages.

Dani Pedrosa (Honda) came in fifth while Loris Capirossi continued to show good form with sixth place

Qualifying Results:

Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:45.543
2. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:45.831 + 0.288
3. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:45.971 + 0.428
4. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:46.060 + 0.517
5. Dani Pedrosa Honda (B) 1:46.303 + 0.760
6. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:46.450 + 0.907
7. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:46.496 + 0.953
8. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:46.574 + 1.011
9. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:46.616 + 1.073
10. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:46.863 + 1.320
11. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:46.888 + 1.345
12. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:46.904 + 1.361
13. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:46.907 + 1.364
14. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:46.958 + 1.415
15. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:47.400 + 1.857
16. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:47.475 + 1.932
17. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:47.669 + 2.126
18. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:47.680 + 2.137
19. Kousuke Akiyoshi Suzuki (B) 1:48.671 + 3.128