British Grand Prix: Cal Crutchlow grabs MotoGP pole at Silverstone

Crutchlow clinched his maiden MotoGP win last month in the Czech Republic

Cal Crutchlow took pole position for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone less than two weeks after his maiden MotoGP win.

The 30-year-old Briton's lap of two minutes 19.265 seconds was 0.998secs quicker than Italy's seven-time champion Valentino Rossi.

"I took the risk at the right time," said Crutchlow.

He became Britain's first MotoGP winner since Barry Sheene in 1981 with victory in the Czech Republic last month.

"I think tomorrow in a dry race we can be competitive and I'll do my best to battle at the front," added Crutchlow, who clinched top spot for the third time in his career in wet conditions with seven minutes remaining in the qualifying session.

"I really appreciate the reception I've had, and it's so nice to see so many people here to watch what we consider to be the best sport in the world."

Maverick Vinales was third, while Crutchlow's compatriot Scott Redding qualified seventh, as championship leader Marc Marquez came in fifth, 1.514 seconds off the pace.

British Grand Prix qualifying:

1. Cal Crutchlow (GB) Honda 2 minutes 19.265 seconds

2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha +0.998

3. Maverick Vinales (Spa) Suzuki +1.249

4. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda +1.447

5. Marc Marquez (Spa) Honda +1.514

6. Eugene Laverty (Irl) Ducati +1.556

7. Scott Redding (GB) +1.809

8. Andrea Iannone (Ita) Ducati +2.181

9. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha +2.422

10. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati +3.155

Click here for full list of qualifying results

MotoGP standings:

1. Marc Marquez (Spa) Honda 197 points

2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 144

3. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 138

4. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 109

5. Maverick Vinales (Spa) Suzuki 100

6. Andrea Iannone (Ita) Ducati 96

7. Pol Espargaro (Spa) Yamaha 81

8. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati 79

9. Hector Barbera (Spa) Ducati 76

10. Cal Crutchlow (GB) Honda 66