Honda rider Alvaro Bautista earned his first MotoGP pole position yesterday after dominating qualifying at the British Grand Prix while local favorite Cal Crutchlow crashed and was taken to hospital in morning practice.

Bautista clocked two minutes, 3.303 seconds, ahead of Yamaha's American rider Ben Spies and Australia's defending champion Casey Stoner on a Honda.

Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, who leads the overall standings by 20 points from Stoner, was fourth fastest.

Ducati's Nicky Hayden posted a time good enough for seventh on the grid before crashing out, while teammate Valentino Rossi recovered from an early crash to qualify in 10th.

Britain's Crutchlow sprained an ankle during morning practice and missed the afternoon qualifying session. He could still start Sunday's race, albeit from the back of the grid.