The 2009 Red Bull US GP pole position went to Jorge Lorenzo, despite two crashes for the Fiat Yamaha rider during Saturday afternoon qualifying session.

Fastest in the morning free practice, the Spaniard looked comfortable with his M1 and set an impressive race pace during the qualifying session.

His first crash came with 20 minutes to go. He then went on to set the fastest lap of the weekend before crashing for the second time with only three minutes left. It was a huge high side and he appeared to be suffering from an injured right leg.

As Lorenzo was stretchered away, Casey Stoner also fell to the ground and had to be stretchered away as well. In the meantime, Valentino Rossi managed to improve on his laptime but failed to snatch pole position away from Lorenzo.

The Fiat Yamaha duo should once again lead the field, at the start of Sunday's race, with Casey Stoner on their tail.

The second row of the grid will be made of Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso, and an impressive Toni Elias. Local favourites Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden will line up on the third row of the grid.

Laguna Seca – Qualifying :

1. J.Lorenzo – Fiat Yamaha – 1'21''678

2. V.Rossi – Fiat Yamaha – 1'21''845

3. C.Stoner – Ducati – 1'21''910

4. D.Pedrosa – Repsol Honda – 1'22''113

5. A.Dovizioso – Repsol Honda – 1'22''135

6. T.Elias – San Carlo Honda Gresini – 1'22''146

7. C.Edwards – Monster Yamaha Tech3 – 1'22''490

8. N.Hayden – Ducati – 1'22''540

9. C.Vermeulen – Rizla Suzuki – 1'22''633

10. L.Capirossi – Rizla Suzuki – 1'22''662

11. M .Melandri – Hayate Racing – 1'22''842

12. A.De Angelis – San Carlo Honda Gresini – 1'23''004

13. S.Gibernau – Grupo Francisco Hernando – 1'23''106

14. R.De Puniet – LCR Honda – 1'23''147

15. J.Toseland – Monster Yamaha Tech3 – 1'23''390

16. N.Canepa – Pramac Racing – 1'23''912

17. G.Talmacsi – Scot Honda – 1'24''528

S.B © CAPSIS International