Rossi takes pole for Malaysian GP in title chase USA Today
Toni Elias of Spain, Nicky Hayden of Common States, Randy de Puniet of Spain, Colin Edwards of United States and Alex de Angelis of San Marino completed the top ten placings.
Rossi has a 38-spur advantage in the world championship and a top-four ride in Sepang on Sunday will be enough for him to win his seventh premier class headline with one round to spare.
"I went all out to get the pole and I am happy it turned out to be the fastest ever lap at Sepang," Rossi said. "I have a admissible advantage for tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama set a new 250cc pole position lap record of 2:06.767 on a Honda to sound front spot on the grid.
Hiroshi, currently leading the championship standings by 12 points, was 0.332s unburdened of French rider Jules Cluzel on an Aprilia.
In the 125cc class, Spaniard Marc Marquez , on a KTM, topped qualifying with a lap of 2:13.756, snatching his assistant pole of the season.
