World championship hopeful Jorge Lorenzo will start from pole position at the Japanese MotoGP after narrowly eclipsing Valentino Rossi on Saturday.

Lorenzo dramatically qualified fastest for Sunday's race with a time of one minute, 43.790 seconds in Motegi, just 0.8secs clear of championship leader Rossi.

Fellow Yamaha rider Rossi - 14 points clear in the standings - thought he had pole wrapped up on his last lap but Lorenzo, who dominated in practice, came out on top in a thrilling duel as he re-took the lead in the closing stages at Twin Ring Motegi.

"We save a soft front. It was good and helped in some braking," said defending Japenese MotoGP champion Lorenzo, who secured his fourth pole of the season. "The humidity went up and I didn't have the same confidence, especially in turn 1.

"It looks like the other competitors didn't feel so much but pole position by a little margin is a good position!"

Honda's Marc Marquez will also start from the front row having finished third, ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone.

Qualifying was delayed on Saturday after Alex de Angelis was airlifted to hospital following a crash during practice.

The Sammarinese E-Motion IodaRacing rider was conscious and breathing as he was taken to Dokkyo Hospital in Mibu.


Top 10

1.    Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha) 1:43.790
2.    Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) 1:43.871
3.    Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) 1:44.216
4.    Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 1:44.322
5.    Andrea Iannone (Ducati) 1:44.436
6.    Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) 1:44.582
7.    Aleix Espargaro (Suzuki) 1:44.809
8.    Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) 1:44.932
9.    Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) 1:45.067
​10.  Maverick Vinales (Suzuki) 1:45.081