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Pedrosa claims pole for Spanish GP

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JEREZ, Spain -- Home rider Dani Pedrosa claimed pole position for the Spanish MotoGP by posting the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday.

The 21-year-old edged out five-times world champion Valentino Rossi by .051 of a second to take the fifth pole of his career on his Honda.

"It was very tight but luckily we got the top time and that is good because the start here at Jerez is so important," Pedrosa told Spanish television.

His experienced fellow countryman Carlos Checa, who set the pace in free practice on his Honda, will complete the front row in Sunday's race.

Rossi's Yamaha team mate Colin Edwards (U.S.) was fourth quickest followed by Australian Casey Stoner, who notched his maiden MotoGP win on his works Ducati in the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix.

Suzuki's John Hopkins (U.S.) was also on the second row while Japan's Shinya Nakano, Spaniard Toni Elias and Italian Marco Melandri made up the third row.

World champion Nicky Hayden was 11th fastest, with less than half a second between the top 12 riders.

Last year's Jerez winner Loris Capirossi struggled in 15th spot.

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