The Italian edged out Spain's Alex Debon by under a second while Swiss rider Thomas Luthi was third.

BBC: Laverty 13th in Italian 250cc GP

In the 250cc category, Aprilia's Alex Debon qualified fastest ahead of Hector Barbera.

CNN: Lorenzo claims MotoGP pole in Spain

Japan's Shoya Tomizawa won the inaugural Moto2 race, ahead of Alex Debon and Jules Cluzel, with Great Britain's Scott Redding back in 23rd, and the 125cc race was similarly disappointing for the British riders.

BBC: Valentino Rossi wins Qatar MotoGP as Stoner crashes out