MotoGP Malaysia: Pedrosa on top in qualifying

The Malaysian Grand Prix is an ever-popular one because of the surprises it throws up, and this year was no different - Johann Zarco found himself on provisional pole for most of qualifying, but as always, in the last few minutes it was snatched away from him by a number of riders. Still, he managed to hang on to second place, which is no small feat.

Zarco's pole timing came under threat from a number of big names in the last few minutes of qualifying - Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo all were in the thick of things but at the end it was a Repsol Honda rider that wound up in the top spot. However, it isn't the one we're used to seeing there; Dani Pedrosa managed to nail his first pole position since Barcelona, while Marquez with his crash could only salvage seventh place.

Tomorrow will be a fun day - Pedrosa will hope for a win, since the last few polesitters here have shown a clean pair of heels to all comers. If Marquez ends up ahead of Dovizioso in the final standings, there is a distinct possibility that the riders' championship will be decided then. However, there is the small matter of Marquez having to go past Lorenzo, Vinales, Zarco, Pedrosa, and Dovizioso to win. Oh, and Valentino Rossi. The last time those two had a real scrap in Malaysia with the title on the line...