Stoner sets new pole record

Stoner lies third in this year's championship.

Casey Stoner followed up his comfortable win at the British MotoGP by taking pole position.

His lap time of one minute 35.520 seconds was nearly a second quicker than the previous pole record.

The Ducati rider came home ahead of Spain's Dani Pedrosa, with current world championship leader Valentino Rossi in third place.

James Toseland was 13th with John Hopkins 15th despite a fractured ankle.

Stoner was on course for pole until both Pedrosa and Rossi bettered his time, so he went out again at the close of the session to clinch his third pole position in as many races.

Briton Scott Redding, 15, who became the youngest winner in GP history when he won at Donington last weekend, was fastest in qualifying for the 125cc race.