After dominating each of the three practice sessions for the Valencia MotoGP, one could have expected Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden to be the one to start in the front row.

He will but in the end it was Ducati's Casey Stoner who was the fastest in qualifications.

It was the Australian's 9th pole position this season but he had to work hard for it as both Repsol Honda's drivers were the ones to beat today.

With eight minutes remaining, the Ducati Marlboro beat the Repsol Honda pair of Dani Pedrosa, second only half a tenth behind the Australian, and Nicky Hayden, two tenths behind in third.

For once, the Tech 3 bikes of Colin Edwards and James Toseland finished both in front of the Fiat-sponsored factory entries of Jorge Lorenzo and series champion Valentino Rossi who finished respectively 7th and 10th.

Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:31.502
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda (B) 1:31.555 + 0.053
3. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:31.703 + 0.201
4. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:32.212 + 0.710
5. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:32.518 + 1.016
6. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:32.572 + 1.070
7. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:32.594 + 1.092
8. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:32.614 + 1.112
9. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:32.734 + 1.232
10. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:32.962 + 1.460
11. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:32.983 + 1.481
12. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:33.017 + 1.515
13. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:33.352 + 1.850
14. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:33.681 + 2.179
15. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:33.767 + 2.265
16. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:33.848 + 2.346
17. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:33.879 + 2.377
18. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:34.174 + 2.672


Photo Credit : Bridgestone