Jorge Lorenzo claims pole for Australian GP

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain lifts the front wheel during the first practice session of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Phillip Island, Australia, on Friday.

Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo overcame a collision with a seagull to claim pole position for Sunday’s Australian Moto GP, edging series leader Marc Marquez by 0.22 seconds.

The bird became lodged in the front of Lorenzo’s Yamaha, forcing him into the pits during Saturday’s final qualifying session. He returned to clock the fastest qualifying lap of 1 minute, 27.899 seconds, beating the Phillip Island lap record by 0.766 seconds.

It was the 26th pole of his career and his third this season.

Marquez holds a 43 point lead over Lorenzo and needs to finish eighth or better to clinch the championship on Sunday.

Valentino Rossi will share the front row after qualifying in third place ahead of Alvaro Bautista, Dani Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow on the second row.