SACHSENRING, Germany — Jorge Lorenzo secured his fourth successive pole position on Saturday in qualifying for the German Grand Prix while Valentino Rossi took fifth spot, just six weeks after breaking his leg.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo, who had to complete qualifying on his spare bike, is seeking his sixth win of this year's MotoGP championship, which he leads with 165 points.

The Spaniard has started on the front of the grid in the three last grands prix that he has gone on to win, at Silverstone, Assen and Barcelona.

Joining him on the front row in Sunday's race are Australia's Casey Stoner on his Ducati and Dani Pedrosa of Honda.

"This pole position was very hard because Casey and Dani were so fast; I had to push at the maximum and ride really well," said Lorenzo, the first Yamaha rider since Max Biaggi in 2001 to achieve four or more successive poles.

"Well done to my team because we have improved so much since yesterday and now I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow."

On the second row are Italian Andrea Dovizioso, reigning world champion Rossi, who has made a remarkable return to the track just six weeks after breaking his leg at Mugello in Italy, and Hector Barbera.

"I am really happy after this second day because I feel confident on the bike," said Rossi.

"I have suffered more today because we've had two sessions instead of one and I have some pain and I'm more tired than Friday, but I feel good and my movement is okay.

"For the race there is a question mark but I hope to be able to finish. I think the podium will be difficult but top five would be a very good result."

Lorenzo grabbed pole in a time of 1min 21.817sec in the final five minutes of the qualifying session, with Stoner second 0.024sec away and long-time leader Pedrosa 0.131sec back in third.

Qualifying was held up for 15 minutes after Lorenzo's bike broke down with oil spilling out onto the Sachsenring circuit at the start of the straight by the grandstand, which caused two spectacular crashes.

The French rider returned to the pits on the back of a scooter before undergoing x-rays on his ankle and right tibia.