MOTEGI, Japan (AP) " Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi secured pole position in Saturday's qualifying for the MotoGP of Japan. Rossi a nine-time world champion, clocked a lap of 1 minute, 43.954 seconds at Twin Ring Motegi to finish 0.180 seconds ahead of Honda rider Marc Marquez. Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo was third followed by Ducati rider Andrea Dovisiozo. Marquez holds a 52-point lead over Rossi in the overall standings and could wrap up the 2016 title with a win on Sunday. Rossi has won the MotoGP of Japan four times, but not since 2008.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 15, 2016 07:30 UTC