MotoGP 2018: Lorenzo masters mixed conditions to take British Grand Prix pole

Jorge Lorenzo beats Andrea Dovizioso and Johann Zarco to take pole position in a partly wet qualifying session at Silverstone. 

Jorge Lorenzo seems to be on a roll these days, and it seems there’s no stopping him. Fresh from his win in the last round in Austria, Lorenzo today clinched pole position for British GP, despite rain gods' constant interference. Joining him in the front row will be his teammate, Andrea Dovizioso, in second, while Johann Zarco of Tech 3 Yamaha will be starting alongside the Ducati duo from the front.

Heavy showers during the final practice (FP4) delayed the qualifying session as Tito Rabat suffered a nasty crash. However, once the safety commission waved green flags, the action on the track resumed in partly wet conditions. Since rain always plays a great equalizer, the pole position was up for grabs for everyone. And that’s exactly what happened until the chequered flag came out - multiple riders could be seen trading places at the top during the entire 15-minute shootout. In the end, though, it was Lorenzo who timed it to perfection in mix conditions as he snatched pole from Dovizioso. Zarco put in his best efforts in his final run, but couldn’t beat the factory Ducati riders. 

The second row will be led by home hero and LCR Honda rider, Cal Crutchlow. Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) will start alongside in fifth, and Danilo Petrucci (Pramac Ducati) will be sixth on the grid tomorrow. Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone will start from the third row in seventh, followed by KTM’s Bradley Smith. Jack Miller will be starting from the ninth position after his slick-tyre gamble failed off during qualifying. Alex Rins of Suzuki rounded out the top ten. Factory Yamaha’s poor form continues as both Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi made strategic errors that saw them finish 11^th and 12^th, respectively.