Stoner battles illness to take Czech pole
Posted
Defending champion Casey Stoner has battled with a mystery illness to claim his sixth successive pole position for Sunday's Czech Grand Prix.
The Ducati rider, who fell ill with fever and cramp during Friday's free practice, posted the fastest time of two minutes, 11.657 seconds on the wet Brno circuit, pipping standings leader Valentino Rossi, of Yamaha by 1.189sec.
Kawasaki's John Hopkins marked an excellent return from injury to take third, 1.302sec behind Stoner, and will now start Sunday's race on the front row.
Australian Chris Vermeulen, a wet-weather specialist, will start on the second row after coming fourth for Suzuki.
Stoner's sixth pole in a row is the longest run of successive top starts since fellow Australian Mick Doohan notched up a massive 12-in-a-row during the 1990s.
- AFP
