Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi stormed to a sensational pole position on home soil at Mugello, Italy on Saturday (21st May).

Local hero Valentino Rossi topped the timesheets to grab a sensational pole position at the Italian MotoGP on Saturday (21st May).

Rossi's delighted both the home fans and the man himself.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Valentino Rossi, Yamaha:

"It is something special, especially because the atmosphere here with all the fans and all the crowd Is really unbelievable. And this is very important for the race because here at Mugello starting from the front is crucial and in the last years I always suffer very much in qualifying. So I am very happy. Since from today I feel good with the bike and now we have to try the maximum for tomorrow."

Lining up behind Rossi will be Maverick Vinales of Suzuki who traded time with the Italian throughout the session, but had to settle for second.

The front row line-up was completed by another Italian Andrea Iannone who put his Ducati into third.

Saturday was a frustrating session for Jorge Lorenzo. Rossi's Yamaha teammate could only qualify fifth - his worst position of the season.