Motegi MotoGP: Casey Stoner not surprised at blistering qualifying pace

Casey Stoner denied his blistering qualifying pace was a big surprise after he decimated the lap record at the Twin Ring Motegi today.

The Australian stormed to his 10th pole position of the campaign with a best lap of 1.45.267 that shattered his own lap record set on the Ducati Desmosedici in 2008 by 1.8s.

He also comfortably beat Jorge Lorenzo’s previous circuit best lap of 1.45.543 set in 2008 to set himself up perfectly to challenge for victory in Honda’s all-important home race in Japan.

Stoner beat factory Yamaha rival Lorenzo into second place by 0.256s but he told MCN he was not surprised that he lapped at such a fast pace.

Large sections of the Twin Ring Motegi track were resurfaced after being damaged during a devastating earthquake that struck Japan back in March.

And Stoner said the new tarmac was a big factor in the low 1.45 times and speaking to MCN he said: “The times are not really a surprise for me. The fact that they resurfaced the track meant anything is going to be better than it was and most of the corners they did were a bit of a problem for us in the past. The fact that they resurfaced those areas mean it was also going to be better and a lot smoother and normally grip levels you expect them to be low, but IndyCar were here a couple of weeks ago, so they put some rubber down. Honestly from the first laps on Friday you could see it was going to be quick. I was a little bit surprised on Friday how fast we went in the first session but the track is a lot better than it has ever been, other than on the back straight where you have to close the gas as it goes over the bumps.”

Stoner reckons ideal conditions for tomorrow’s 24-lap race could see race pace around the 1.46 bracket and he added: “If it is nice and cool again tomorrow then we could go into the 46s. We did a 47 flat a few years ago, so there’s every chance we can go in the 46s tomorrow. Each time we go on the track it has been a little faster. With more rubber down it is getting better, so maybe it is the same for tomorrow.”

Stoner holds a commanding 44-point lead over Lorenzo going into tomorrow’s race but he said he wouldn’t be racing thinking about protecting his advantage.

His tactics would be for all-out attack as usual and he said: “We’re still going out there to win races and that’s what I enjoy doing and that’s what we’re here to do.”