THE RAIN POURED DOWN AT THE SEPANG CIRCUIT
09 September 2006 - Moto GP

Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix - Saturday 9th September

Rossi on pole after heavy rain halts MotoGP qualifying

Two incidents at the Sepang Circuit threw the qualification process for tomorrow’s Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix into uncertainty today, with the eventual cancellation of the final MotoGP and 250cc official qualifying sessions.

The day was already running just behind schedule as a result of a delay in the 125cc morning practice session, when a number of riders'' sliding off on the first lap led to Race Direction and the Riders’ Safety Commission’s appearance to inspect and clean the track. However, there was an even longer delay following a downpour of torrential rain during the 250cc free practice session, which eventually led to the cancellation of any further action at the Asian Circuit.

Race Direction were quick to issue a statement, announcing that after inspections at various locations around the circuit, they had decided to cancel both the MotoGP Qualifying Practice and the 250cc second Qualifying Practice due to safety reasons created by the earlier rainstorms.

Thus it will be Valentino Rossi who will line up for tomorrow’s Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on pole position, achieved by virtue of his being the fastest lap from all three free practices. This leaves championship leader Nicky Hayden and Loris Capirossi alongside Rossi on the front row for what promises to be a battle royale should the rain stay away.

Meanwhile, Kenny Roberts Jr. heads up row two, with walking wounded Dani Pedrosa alongside him. Pedrosa had to have five stitches in a deep cut on his knee yesterday afternoon and with limited movement in his leg he was slowest after eighteen laps in this morning''s final free practice. Sete Gibernau will occupy the final slot on the second row next to him, with the top ten rounded off by Randy de Puniet, John Hopkins, Marco Melandri and Casey Stoner.

The cancellation of the second 250cc qualifying session provided a slightly different scenario for the quarter-litre grid. The results of yesterday’s first qualifier were used to make up the rider’s positions, resulting in a second pole position of the season for Hector Barbera.

Barbera will be joined by his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo on the front row, alongside Hiroshi Aoyama and Roberto Locatelli. Further back, Andrea Dovizioso, Alex de Angelis, Shuhei Aoyama and Martin Cardenas line up on row two.

Although the session wasn’t officially cancelled as the rain began to fall, very few riders took to the track during the final 125cc qualifying session. Alvaro Bautista took his fifth pole position of 2006 at the Sepang Circuit, using his time from yesterday’s opening qualifying practice. The heavy rain meant that nearly every rider elected to stay in their garage this afternoon rather than risk taking on the wet track.

The runaway 125cc World Championship leader will be joined on the front row by Mika Kallio, Mattia Pasini and Joan Olive, whilst row 2 comprises Hector Faubel, Nico Terol, Lukas Pesek and a brave Fabrizio Lai, one of the few to take to the track in the second qualifying session.

Tomorrow''s races will take place an hour later than usual, with MotoGP set to start at 3pm local time (7am GMT), 250cc at 1.15pm, and 125cc at 12.00pm.

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