MotoGP: Lorenzo snatches pole for Catalan GP

WORLD championship leader Jorge Lorenzo took pole position for today's Catalan Grand Prix, ahead of Casey Stoner and Randy de Puniet.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo dominated the practice sessions before posting a fastest-lap time of 1 minute, 42.046 seconds in qualifying at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Stoner was 0.364 seconds behind and De Puniet was 0.466 back.

The Spaniard leads the MotoGP standings with 140 points, his compatriot Dani Pedrosa is second on 93, with Andrea Dovizioso of Italy third on 89.

The lead changed hands several times, with Stoner at one point heading for pole until Lorenzo clinched the fastest time on his penultimate lap.

In the 125cc category, Marc Marquez of Spain took his third pole position in a row in 1:50.543 seconds.