Gibernau takes MotoGP pole

Valencia:

Spain's Sete Gibernau won the pole position on Saturday in the MotoGP's Valencia Grand Prix, the final race of the season. Honda's Gibernau clocked 1 minute, 31.874 seconds over the 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) Ricardo Tormo circuit at Cheste. Italy's Marco Melandri, second in the championship race, was next fastest and No.3 Nicky Hayden, of the United States, was third. Five-time world champion Valentino Rossi, who is bidding to equal Mick Doohan's record of 12 wins in a season, came off his bike. The Yamaha rider remounted but finished 15th in 1:33.503. Spain's Sergio Gadea topped the 125cc category in 1:39.830. Italy's Mattia Pasini was second in 1:39.833. Finland's Mika Kallio, second overall, was third in 1:39.899, while championship leader Thomas Luthi, of Switzerland, finished fourth in 1:39.994. (AP)