Rossi makes a remarkable comeback

Jorge Lorenzo secured his fourth successive pole position on Saturday in qualifying for the German Grand Prix while Valentino Rossi took fifth spot, just six weeks after breaking his leg

Sachsenring: Jorge Lorenzo secured his fourth successive pole position on Saturday in qualifying for the German Grand Prix while Valentino Rossi took fifth spot, just six weeks after breaking his leg.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo, who had to complete qualifying on his spare bike, is seeking his sixth win of this year's MotoGP championship, which he leads with 165 points.

Lorenzo has started on the front of the grid in the three last Grand Prixs that he has gone on to win, at Silverstone, Assen and Barcelona.

LEFT: Italy's Valentino Rossi of team Fiat Yamaha steers his bike during the qualifying practice of the MotoGP race at the Sachsenring Circuit yesterday

Joining him on the front row in Sunday's race are Australia's Casey Stoner on his Ducati and Dani Pedrosa of Honda.

On the second row are Italian Andrea Dovizioso, reigning world champion Rossi, who has made a remarkable return to the track just six weeks after breaking his leg at Mugello in Italy, and Hector Barbera. "I am really happy after this second day because I feel confident on the bike," said Rossi.

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"I have suffered more today because we've had two sessions instead of one and I have some pain and I'm more tired than Friday, but I feel good and my movement is okay.

"For the race there is a question mark but I hope to be able to finish." Lorenzo grabbed pole in a time of 1min 21.817sec in the final five minutes of the qualifying session, with Stoner second 0.024sec away and long-time leader Pedrosa 0.131sec back in third.

Qualifying was held up for 15 minutes after Lorenzo's bike broke down with oil spilling onto the Sachsenring circuit at the start of the straight by the grandstand, which caused two spectacular crashes. American Ben Spies first parted company with his Honda and his teammate Randy de Puniet then somersaulted off his machine.