Rossi on pole in Valencia

[PurpleHaze]

<b>VALENCIA, SPAIN, OCT 28: Camel Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi will start the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix from the pole position, while title rival Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda) starts from row two after getting bumped by a trio of Bridgestone riders late in Saturday’s lone qualifying session. <BR>
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Hayden was on top in the 17th minute and held it until Rossi jumped to the top with 9:09 mins. remaining. Rossi was then knocked back to second place by the surprising Troy Bayliss, subbing for the injured Sete Gibernau on the Marlboro Ducati.</b> <BR>
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<b>Then Rossi struck back. With about three minutes to run he lapped in 1:31.002 mins., the fastest lap ever by a motorcycle 2.486-mile track. “Yes, this starting grid is very good for us, for the race of tomorrow,” Rossi said. “This pole position is crucial. Start from the top is very important."</b> <BR>
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<b>MotoGP Qualifying: </b> <BR>
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<b>1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1:31.002 </b> <BR>
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<b>2. Troy Bayliss (Ducati) 1:31.210 </b> <BR>
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<b>3. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 1:31.307 </b> <BR>
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<b>4. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) 1:31.341 </b> <BR>
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<b>5. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1:31.378 </b> <BR>
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<b>6. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 1:31.385 </b> <BR>
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<b>7. Casey Stoner (Honda) 1:31.470 </b> <BR>
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<b>8. Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) 1:31.606 </b> <BR>
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<b>9. John Hopkins (Suzuki) 1:31.663 </b> <BR>
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<b>10. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 1:31.711</b> <BR>
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http://images.motogp.com/multimedia2/501/501372_70084.jpg <BR>