Qualification

Aoyama of Japan puts himself in the mix and goes seventh with a 1'55.724

Lorenzo sits on this machine in the pits. He knows that if he wants pole he'll need to produce something quite astounding.

Rossi is now beginning to put it together. He comes over the line with a personal best but can only make 11th

Jorge Lorenzo returns fire to go third. Simoncelli, on another Honda, comes from nowhere to go fourth with a 1'55.552s. What a start to the new season!

What did I say? Stoner replies instantly with a 1'54.375s to reclaim provisional pole.

So, Pedrosa sits atop the current standings with Stoner second, Spies third, Edwards fourth and Lorenzo fifth

As we enter the final 15 minutes the track is coming to life. Whoever leaves it last, and strings it all together, will surely be pole sitter tomorrow.

Whoosh! Dani Pedrosa proves he is still capable of top rides as he takes provisional pole with a rapid 1'54.758. That's .083 quicker than Stoner - who comes out straight away.

With Cal Crutchlow mixing it up in the top five it means Dovizioso and Edwards need to pull something out and quickly. Rossi puts in his fastest lap and goes 10th. Edwards is now fourth.

And Crutchlow goes fifth with a stunning lap. The Brit nails a 1'55.879 with just .175 between him and Lorenzo. Great ride.

Lorenzo stays out and improves on his own time but doesn't improve his position.

Crutchlow decides it's time to go out again. Meanwhile Lorenzo can't improve on his 1'55.850s and remains fourth.

Time is beginning to run out for guys towards the back of the grid. Stoner is still out front with Spies second, Pedrosa third and Lorenzo fourth. Dovizioso and Colin Edwards are next with Rossi and Carl Crutchlow in 11th and 12th respectively.

In fact, Spies now follows that up with a 1'55.389 to go second himself.

Spies now sends his new Yamaha to within 1.006s of Stoner but, more importantly, just 0.164s to Pedrosa in second.

Wowsers. Get this - Stoner now locks in a remarkable 1.54.841 - pole really is his to lose. But it may also indicate that the track in speeding up. His lead is 0.658s to Pedrosa. That's huge. Stoner now comes into the pits. He might not come out.

Nicky Hayden flies over the line and is a lowly 14th place. Surely the American will haul himself up the standings?

Crutchlow comes over the line and remains 12th with a 1.56.578. That's just more than 1.5s slower than Stoner. And get this, he's only 0.2s off Rossi. Not a bad start.

Carl Crutchlow is out on track. The young Brit looks in control.

The word around the pit lane is Stoner could come in for a cup of coffee and not even bother going out again. His current pole lap is considered to be almost unbeatable. Almost. As I type that Lorenzo posts his fastest lap so far. He's still fourth though.

As things stand Casey Stoner still leads the way with that flying 1.55.010. His team-mate Dani Pedrosa sits second with American Ben Spies just pipping last year's champion Jorge Lorenzo into third place. For all you Valentino Rossi fans the Doctor is ninth - 1.376s off pole.

Dani Pedrosa nails a 1'55 to sit .855 behind Stoner. It would appear the Repsol Honda boys have done their homework.

Just 13 minutes into this first qualifying session of 2011 and Casey Stoner is already putting down an impressive marker on his Repsol Honda.

Could Stoner park it now and still take poll? Lorenzo has just ducked under 1'56 as well and is second quickest.

Stoner still leads the way and his machine is visible quicker. The Australian is certainly continuing his strong finish to 2010.

Less than 10 minutes into session, Stoner has gone faster for a third consecutive time - now 1'55.010.

Casey Stoner's second flying lap is 1'55.186 and 1.2s quicker than Valentino Rossi's been all weekend.

Aad here comes Stoner. 1'55.992 and he is on top immediately.

16 bikes on the grid with Bautista ruled out. Former Suzuki MotoGP rider John Hopkins is expected to be called up for round two at Jerez on April 1-3, but unless a last-minute replacement can be found before this evening's qualifying session there will be no GSV-R on Sunday’s Qatar grid.

And we are underway under the lights on a dry night in Losail!

Alvaro Bautista is recovering in the Hamad Medical Corporation Hospital in Doha, Qatar after a successful operation to repair his broken left femur.

The first motorcycle grand prix pole position of the 2011 season has been won by Nico Terol, whose perfect Qatar weekend continued during 125cc qualifying.

Australian Casey Stoner, who is chasing his fourth win in five years at the Losail circuit, will hope to grab pole position in floodlit qualifying on Saturday night.