[Racer Duck]

Yamaha showed they have the speed by taking the first 3 spots in qualifying for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar. Here's an excerpt from the article at MotoGP 2008 - Moto Grand Prix, What I think is even more significant is two rookies took the first two spots!

Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo will make his MotoGP debut from pole position at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday, after clocking the fastest time ever at the Losail International Circuit in Saturday evening’s premier class qualifying session.

The double 250cc World Champion took the top spot in the final moments of the historic maiden night-time qualifying session with a scorching 1’53.927 lap, becoming the first rider in history to break the Losail 1’54 barrier in the process. He also echoed one of his idols, as he became the first rider to take pole position on debut in the class since Max Biaggi moved up as 250 champ in 1998; the Italian going on to win the race at Suzuka.

Lorenzo’s late time only just overshadowed another 2008 premier class rookie, Tech3 Yamaha rider James Toseland, as the Briton confirmed his superb pace in testing and practice by securing second on the grid for his own MotoGP debut.

Toseland made a statement of intent 20 minutes into the qualifying practice by breaking Valentino Rossi’s pole record from 2007 and did battle for top spot with Lorenzo throughout the session, only to be outdone by the young Spaniard at the death by just 0.255.

Colin Edwards completed an all-Yamaha front row, continuing his renaissance as Toseland’s team-mate in the Tech 3 Yamaha outfit. His appearance in the top three also makes it a Michelin clean sweep on an excellent day for the French tyre manufacturer, with all seven of their riders in the top ten.

[Racer Duck]

Yamaha was fast (4 in the top 7), but couldn't hold off Stoner on the Ducati!

P. # Biker Team Time Lead.
1 1 STONER DUCATI 42'36"587
2 48 LORENZO YAMAHA FIAT 42'41"910 +0'05"323
3 2 PEDROSA HONDA REPSOL 42'47"187 +0'10"600
4 4 DOVIZIOSO HONDA JiR 42'49"875 +0'13"288
5 46 ROSSI YAMAHA FIAT 42'49"892 +0'13"305
6 52 TOSELAND YAMAHA TECH 3 42'50"627 +0'14"040
7 5 EDWARDS YAMAHA TECH 3 42'51"737 +0'15"150
8 65 CAPIROSSI SUZUKI 43'09"092 +0'32"505
9 14 DE PUNIET HONDA LCR 43'09"590 +0'33"003
10 69 HAYDEN HONDA REPSOL 43'14"941 +0'38"354
11 33 MELANDRI DUCATI 43'20"871 +0'44"284
12 21 HOPKINS KAWASAKI 43'26"444 +0'49"857
13 56 NAKANO HONDA GRESINI 43'26"458 +0'49"871
14 24 ELIAS DUCATI ALICE 43'35"119 +0'58"532
15 50 GUINTOLI DUCATI ALICE 43'35"517 +0'58"930
16 13 WEST KAWASAKI 43'42"230 +1'05"643
17 7 VERMEULEN SUZUKI 1 lap(s)
18 15 DE ANGELIS HONDA GRESINI 6 lap(s)