In-form Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa will start from pole in Sunday’s Italian MotoGP after posting the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Honda star – who won last Sunday’s German MotoGP – will start ahead of series leader and compatriot Jorge Lorenzo, on a Yamaha, while another Spaniard, Hector Barbera, is third on the grid on a Ducati.

Australia’s Casey Stoner qualified fifth, behind Ducati rider Nicky Hayden.

It is Pedrosa’s 39th pole position of his career – the 23rd in this category.