Rossi stays on track

Valentino Rossi's hopes of retaining his MotoGP world title were boosted after he qualified in pole position for the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril in the penultimate meeting of the season.

Trailing Honda's Nicky Hayden by 12 points in the standings, Camel Yamaha rider Rossi qualified for the front of the grid with his lap of one minute and 36.2 seconds.

It was Rossi's fourth pole position of the year and Yamaha completed their first one-two of the season as American Colin Edwards was second fastest in qualifying for Sunday's race.

Rossi believes Edwards will have a role in keeping Hayden - who was third in qualifying - away from the lead during the race. Dani Pedrosa was fourth fastest while rookie Casey Stoner was fifth.

Rossi said: "For sure this race is crucial, and we did great work in the team and I feel a good shape on my Yamaha.

"We did some great work with Michelin for tyres and three very good laps, but the last one was one where I kind of left my brain behind and just went for it. Going on the limit like that is a lot of fun.

"I'm very happy for Colin to be second - maybe he can help me, because I think Nicky (Hayden) will be very fast on Sunday."