Corsi and Bautista confirm pole position

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As rain made cutting times in Donington difficult for the 125cc riders, Simone Corsi could rest easy with the pole position all but his.

Although not a renowned wet weather rider, Simone Corsi likely breathed a sigh of relief when it became clear that Saturday´s second 125cc qualifying session would take place in the wet. The Italian had already claimed the provisional pole spot on Friday afternoon in dry conditions, meaning that he was unlikely to be troubled in the decisive session.

Corsi´s 1´37.488 lap proved to be the pole clincher, giving him his first start from the front of the grid since Portugal. The Jack&Jones WRB man emerged victorious from that race, and is looking to do the same in order to keep up the pressure on series leader Mike di Meglio –who starts from 21st after some Friday gearing problems.

Reigning World Champion Gabor Talmacsi will line up alongside Corsi in his fifth front row start of the year, having picked up a recent run of consecutive podium finishes at Mugello and Catalunya. He remained less than a tenth away from Corsi´s marker.

The front row is completed by Talmacsi´s Bancaja Aspar teammate Sergio Gadea and home rider Scott Redding, the first Britain to qualify on the first line of attack at Donington Park since 1988 (when Niall Mackenzie placed on the front row for the 500cc race and Alex Bedford in the 125cc class.). The Blusens Aprilia rider has just one appearance at Donington Park to his name, but commanded the track like a veteran in yesterday´s session.

There will be an empty grid space behind Corsi on Sunday afternoon, with Pol Espargaro ruled out of action with a fractured collarbone. The Belson Derbi rider, who has finished fourth, fourth, third and second in the last quartet of races, will now head to Barcelona for a consultation with Dr. Xavier Mir, missing the bwin.com British Grand Prix.

I.C. Team´s Andrea Iannone, Corsi´s teammate Nico Terol and Repsol KTM rookie Marc Marquez will line up in a trio on the second row. Marquez suffered a spectacular crash on Saturday afternoon, with no effect on his participation in tomorrow´s race.

Bautista takes fourth pole with Donington Friday time
Alvaro Bautista will start the 250cc bwin.com British Grand Prix from pole position, courtesy of his Friday hot lap.

As in the 125cc class, the nature of split qualifying sessions played into the hands of the provisional poleman in 250cc. With a wet track with which to set about improving on dry times, Alvaro Bautista was the principal beneficiary in the quarter litre class, taking a fourth pole of the season and continuing his 100% record of front row starts courtesy of his Friday marker. With the chance to take the lead in the overall standings this weekend at Donington Park, and on a run of winning form, Marco Simoncelli joins Bautista on the front row for the fourth time in as many races. The Metis Gilera rider and his Spanish rival will be accompanied by Team Toth´s Hector Barbera and Emmi-Caffe Latte man Thomas Luthi on the first line.

(source:moto-live)


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