Rossi takes pole

Former MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi sent a message to his title rivals by grabbing pole position for the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul.

The Fiat Yamaha rider led home team-mate Colin Edwards as the Repsol Honda of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner, on the Ducati Marlboro machine, completed the front row.

Scroll down to read more:

Defending champion Nicky Hayden, on the second Repsol Honda, was sixth quickest.

In the 250cc class Andre Dovizioso took pole position on the Scot Aprilia as Irishman Eugene Laverty was 21st on the LCR Honda.

Mattia Pasini took the 125cc class pole on the Polaris World Aprilia, with Britons Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda), Kevin Coughlan (Scot Honda) and Danny Webb (De Graaf Honda) in 13th, 27th and 30th places respectively.

Rossi was happy to put past problems behind him at an Istanbul circuit where he had struggled in the past.

"I'm very happy to have a pole position at this track, which has never been one of my favourites," admitted Rossi.

"I've had some bad moments here in the past but this year it feels like a different track for me and I'm having great fun.

"The team has done a great job because we had some problems yesterday but they've found some good solutions and now Colin and I are first and second.

"My tyres are working well and we've found the right front for tomorrow. We need to make a final decision about the rear (tyre) in the morning.

"Anyway all three of us are very close on the front row so I think it's going to be a tight battle tomorrow. Let's hope for good weather and see what happens."