Troy Corser is on the pole for season opener

Corser broke his own lap record.

Two-time world champion Troy Corser took pole position for Saturday's season-opening.

Championship in Qatar. The Australian Yamaha rider clocked one minute 58.053 seconds to set the fastest lap at the Losail circuit.

Spain's Ruben Xaus was second in 1:58.689 ahead of ex-MotoGP rider and Ducati team-mate Max Biaggi of Italy.

Pre-season favourite Troy Bayliss was seventh while Britain's 2007 champion James Toseland has moved to MotoGP.

Corser said: "I'm going for the win, I like this track.

"We had a really good test here, so now I need to get my head down and concentrate on being consistent."