Veteran rider Valentino Rossi claimed his first pole since October 2016 when he set a new track record at the Italian MotoGP on Saturday.
The Yamahan rider clocked 1min 46.208 seconds on the Mugello track to edge Jorge Lorenzo and his Spanish compatriot Maverick Vinales, who completed the front row for Sunday’s race.
It was the first pole position for the 39-year-old former seven-time world MotoGP champion since the Japanese Grand Prix more than a year and half ago.
“I’m very happy, it’s a surprise,” said Rossi.
“In the last free practice session we tried harder tyres but I was in trouble, with the medium tyres it was better, the bike was good and when I saw the time of 1’46.2 I thought ‘It could be …’ It was very emotional.
“Tomorrow will be a bit harder, but for now I enjoy the moment.”
The Italian veteran also shaved 0.231 off the new lap record which had been achieved earlier in the day by Spanish world champion Marc Marquez of Honda.
Championship leader Marquez will start from sixth on the grid with Italy’s Andrea Iannone (Suzuki) and Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) in fourth and fifth position.
