The result could help persuade Honda to field three riders next year, as opposed to farming the Italian out to the satellite Gresini team.

BBC: Matt Roberts MotoGP column

Toni Elias, who will not be retained by San Carlo Honda Gresini for next season, was fourth ahead of American former world champion Colin Edwards and young Italian Andrea Dovizioso.

CNN: Rossi races to MotoGP pole despite Brno fall

Lorenzo cruised to victory more than nine seconds clear of Alex de Angelis, who earned his first podium finish after starting fourth on the grid for San Carlo Honda Gresini.

CNN: Lorenzo capitalizes on Rossi's U.S. crash

For Elias, the unexpected podium meant a great end to a bad week in which he was told he would not be retained by the Gresini Honda team for 2010.

CNN: Victory edges Rossi closer to MotoGP title

Toni Elias moved another step closer to the Moto2 title with a seventh win of the season that earned a hug and a slap on the wrists from team manager Fausto Gresini.

BBC: Matt Roberts MotoGP column

Another Spanish rider, Alvaro Bautista, was seventh for Honda Gresini while America's 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden was eighth on the second Ducati ahead of British rookie Bradley Smith on the other Tech 3 and Germany's Stefan Bradl on an LCR Honda.

CNN: Rookie Marquez outshines MotoGP champion Lorenzo in Qatar

The Spaniard failed to qualify on the front row of the grid at the circuit for the first time in his career, with Yamaha's 2010 world champion finishing fourth fastest ahead of American teammate Ben Spies and San Carlo Honda Gresini's Alvaro Bautista.

CNN: Stoner on pole for Portugal MotoGP race

Italian ace Valentino Rossi again struggled on his Ducati and was back in ninth spot, while San Carlo Honda Gresini's Alvaro Bautista will start from the back of the grid after being penalized for his crash last weekend at Assen where he took out Lorenzo on the first bend.

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