Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner will start from eleventh on the fourth row of the grid in tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. Again today, the LCR team did not get involved in a false qualifying tyre race during practice, and Stoner was rewarded with an impressively fast run on race tyres, focussing on race set-up. The young Australian is quietly confident for the race, and is hoping to avoid any trouble at the tight and tricky turn one at the Motegi circuit.

Until most riders tested a qualifying tyre late in free practice, Stoner matched the race pace of Ducati rival Loris Capirossi in the morning session. Capirossi qualified on pole position with Stoner posting a best lap of 1’46.847 in warm but overcast conditions.

“Because we decided to focus on race set-up Casey only used qualifying tyres late in the final session. For sure he could be further up the grid if we had spent time on soft tyres in practice, but the race is more important and Casey is one of the fastest riders on race tyres”.

“For race pace I have got a really good set-up, no problems at all, and if I get away with the front guys I should up be there -- the team have done a great job. It’s not a long run to the first corner and the past couple years there have been some problems at turn one, so maybe the fourth row is the best place for the start. Qualifying was looking good and I thought I could have been a little further forward but I was just focusing on race set-up. The bike feels strong on race tyres, both on the brakes and off the turns, I just need to get away with the front group and I’m reasonably confident.”