A hectic session saw Casey Stoner take pole position, and Valentino Rossi suffer a high speed crash that leaves him in 12th position on the grid.

Phillip Island Qualifying

1. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:28.665
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:28.734 + 0.069
3. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:28.756 + 0.091
4. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:28.808 + 0.143
5. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:29.031 + 0.366
6. Dani Pedrosa Honda (B) 1:29.277 + 0.612
7. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:29.513 + 0.848
8. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:29.558 + 0.893
9. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:29.710 + 1.045
10. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:29.925 + 1.260
11. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:29.942 + 1.277
12. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:30.014 + 1.349
13. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:30.202 + 1.537
14. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:30.297 + 1.632
15. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:30.545 + 1.880
16. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:31.157 + 2.492
17. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:31.939 + 3.274
18. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:31.995 + 3.330

The session was a Michelin dominated session, with Jorge Lorenzo or Nicky Hayden the seemingly likely candidates for pole position by putting in fastest laps in the last 10 minutes of the session. Casey Stoner rolled out of his garage towards the end of the session and managed to put in a 1:28.665 lap time that secured pole position and set a new circuit record.

Rossi is likely to race tomorrow but will receive medical attention today, he said:

“I was pushing a lot with the qualifying tyre but unfortunately I went too wide at turn two and I came onto the grass on the exit. I thought I could take the bike back onto the track but, as soon as I touched the muddy grass I lost control and I couldn’t stop it. Then I bumped my head and neck pretty hard when I landed in the gravel. It’s a pity that I will have to start from twelfth tomorrow, because this afternoon, with my Bridgestone race tyres, I had a very good pace. Now Dr. Costa and the Clinica Mobile staff will work to put me in good shape again – I am having treatment on my neck and then I will go immediately back to the hotel to rest until tomorrow. Tomorrow I am sure I will feel a lot better; we have good tyres and a good set-up so I will try to ride a good race!” declared the eight time world champion.

Valentino Rossi’s crash during Phillip Island qualifying:

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