VALENCIA, Spain (AP) β Valentino Rossi steered his Yamaha to his 50th career pole position in MotoGP at the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix on Saturday.
Rossi was followed by fellow Italian Andrea Iannone, with Dani Pedrosa clocking the third fastest lap at the 4-kilometer (2.4-mile) harbor-side circuit.
Already crowned world champion Marc Marquez will start Sunday’s race from fifth on the grid, right behind Rossi’s teammate Jorge Lorenzo.
In Moto3, Marc’s younger brother Alex Marquez needs to protect his 11-point lead ahead of Australia’s Jack Miller when the two vie for the title in the lowest category.
Alex Marquez will start from third on the grid right behind Miller after Italian Niccolo Antonelli took the pole position.
Moto2 qualifying is later Saturday.
