Former world title-holder, Rossi, rode a superb 1:55.002 final lap to earn his place on the front row, with the Italian just edging out last-year's poleman Stoner by five-thousandths of a second as Colin Edwards came in third behind the two pacesetters.

It was the perfect start to the season for Rossi though, as he attempts to re-gain his MotoGP world title following a crash in last year's final race at Valencia which saw Nicky Hayden take the 2006 crown.

Stoner, though, was unlucky to find Rossi in such menacing form, as the Australian managed to break Rossi's previous record for the track by .676 of a second.

Behind the front row, Toni Elias, Dani Pedrosa and John Hopkins were all in the top six, with Hopkins's effort particularly good as the rider was not at full fitness, with Loris Capirossi heading row three ahead of Randy de Puniet and Hayden.

Results for Qualifying Practice at the Moto GP in Qatar

1.Valentino Rossi 1:55.002
2.Casey Stoner (Australia) 1:55.007
3.Colin Edwards 1:55.233
4.Toni Elias 1:55.358
5.Dani Pedrosa 1:55.361
6.John Hopkins 1:55.833
7.Loris Capirossi 1:55.851
8.Randy De Puniet 1:55.933
9.Nicky Hayden 1:56.041
10.Marco Melandri 1:56.222

Sportal