Andrea Iannone wins career first pole at Italian MotoGP, sets record time!

Iannone waves to fans after qualifying in pole at the 2015 Italian MotoGP

The Ducati rider has won pole position for the first time in his career at Qualifying for the 2015 Gran' premi di Italia, in a time of 1’46.489 - the fastest time ever recorded on a motorbike at the 5.2 kilometre circuit. Winning pole at his home Grand Prix, he was followed immediately by Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo of Movistar Yamaha GP, who was 0.095 seconds behind him.

Lorenzo, fresh off back to back victories in Spain and France, has continued and consolidated his momentum going forth. Qualifying second puts him in an extremely advantageous position, one that he will look to build upon in tomorrow's race.

Starting at pole is even more of an achievement for Iannone considering the Italian has been nursing a fractured arm, an injury he sustained during testing for Ducati at Mugello prior to the race at Le Mans, which he finished in 5th. Recent scans revealed that he had a hairline fracture at the tip of his humerus, the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow which had been causing him constant pain. Prior to the Italian Grand Prix, however, Iannone stressed the importance of wanting to have a good race "for the fans" - which he has now achieved.

The 25-year-old has had 1 podium in the five races held so far this year, finishing third at the Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix behind compatriots Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso, who is not only Iannone's teammate, but has qualified in third, with Lorenzo sandwiched by the two Ducati riders. Ducati's wild card rider, Michele Pirro, was also in the top 10 at 6th position, behind Cal Crutchlow and Aleix Esparargo.

Valentino Rossi, the undisputed King of the circuit with 7 back-to-back wins to his name there, qualified in 8th. He still, however, holds on to his lead in the Drivers' Championship standings. Last year' s World Drivers' Championship Winner Marc Marquez failing to make Q2. He will start the race in 13th.