Pedrosa on pole for Valencia MotoGP

VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) –

Honda’s Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa sets off for his free practice session for the Valencia MotoGP in Cheste near Valencia on November 10, 2012. Pedrosa will start on pole for Sunday’s season-closing Valencia MotoGP after topping the times in qualifying on Saturday.

Honda rider Dani Pedrosa will start on pole for Sunday’s season-closing Valencia MotoGP after topping the times in qualifying here on Saturday.

This was Pedrosa’s fifth pole of the season and the 42nd of the Spaniard’s career.

Joining him on the front row will be Jorge Lorenzo, who wrapped up the world title in Australia last month, and Casey Stoner, the 2011 champion who is retiring after Sunday’s race.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo was assured the title after Pedrosa crashed out at Phillip Island.