World championship leader Valentino Rossi will start Sunday’s British MotoGP at Donington from pole position. The Yamaha rider bumped team-mate Jorge Lorenzo from top spot in qualifying, with Lorenzo having to settle for third after being passed by Dani Pedrosa. Casey Stoner, who is third in the title race behind Rossi and Lorenzo, had another frustrating day, coming fourth. Britain's James Toseland finished ninth fastest, equalling his best qualifying performance so far this season. Rossi was satisfied with his day's work, securing his first pole position at Donington since 2005, which was the last time he won at the circuit. And with rain on race day a distinct possibility, he said the weather could play a significant factor. "We're not at the maximum with the hard tyre, so if tomorrow is dry, we'll have to reconsider and modify out settings as I don't have much grip," he told BBC Sport. Pedrosa trailed Rossi by just 0.095 seconds, and admitted he nearly pinched front spot from under the nose of the reigning world champion. "At the end I wasn't fully concentrating so I couldn't make the best lap time, but front row is good, as we've not been there in the last few races so that's important," said the Honda rider British Grand Prix qualifying result: 1 V Rossi (It) Fiat Yamaha 1'28.116 2 D Pedrosa (Sp) Honda 1'28.211 3 J Lorenzo (Sp) Fiat Yamaha 1'28.402 4 C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1'28.446 5 A Dovizioso (It) Honda 1'28.778 6 C Edwards (US) Yamaha 1'28.865 7 M Melandri (It) Kawasaski 1'29.065 8 T Elias (Sp) Honda 1'29.175 9 J Toseland (GB) Yamaha 1'29.270 10 R de Puniet (Fr) Honda 1'29.434 11 M Kallio (US) Ducati 1'29.599 12 A de Angelis (RSM) Honda 1'29.600 13 C Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 1'30.098 14 L Capirossi (It) Suzuki 1'30.153 15 N Hayden (US) Ducati 1'30.268 16 N Canepa (Ita) Pramac Racing Ducati 1'30.572 17 G Talmacsi (Hun) Scot Racing 1'31.193 26th july 2009 #49 - Most Viewed (Today) - Cars & Vehicles - Italy