( CNN ) -- Casey Stoner is comfortable racing in Spain . So much so , the MotoGP world champion used Saturday 's qualifying run for the Catalunya Grand Prix as an extended practice session . Nonetheless , the Australian still topped the timesheets and will start Sunday 's race from the front of the grid . He heading off championship leader Jorge Lorenzo to claim the 36th pole position of his career in motorcycling 's elite division . `` We used the qualifying as an extended practice session as we do n't always have enough time to do everything during the 45-minute sessions , '' said Stoner , who won the race last year before also triumphing at Valencia in November and then at Jerez in April . `` This morning we did a lot of work with the hard tire , so in the afternoon in these hot conditions , we worked more with the softer one to get a clearer understanding if we can run with it for race distance . `` We were in and out a lot during the session trying a few different things , hoping to reduce the chatter which is still proving to be a problem . Towards the end of the session we managed to improve it slightly but I think we need to make another step before the race . `` Tomorrow , for sure tire degradation is going to play a role so we 're going to have to wait and see , but I 'm happy to start from pole . '' Last month the 26-year-old announced he will quit the sport at the end of this season , then finished third at the last race in Le Mans . The Honda rider set the fastest time on Saturday of one minute 41.295 seconds -- the equivalent of 334 kmh . Lorenzo , who won in France , clocked 1:41.441 and Spain 's 2010 world champion was joined on the front row by another Yamaha rider -- Cal Crutchlow of Britain . Lorenzo 's American teammate Ben Spies will lead the second row on Sunday after qualifying fourth ahead of Honda 's Dani Pedrosa and Italy 's Andrea Dovizisio . Former world champion Nicky Hayden was seventh , while the veteran American 's Ducati teammate Valentino Rossi was ninth . Rossi had hinted at a return to the form that won him seven world titles when he finished second in wet conditions at Le Mans , but the Italian was 0.88 seconds off Stoner 's pace in the Spanish heat . Veteran American Colin Edwards was 14th on his return to racing after a month out with a broken collarbone . `` It 's still a bit tender to touch but when I put my leathers on today I honestly did n't feel it . I do n't have any pain , no problem there , '' the 38-year-old former Superbike world champion said .
World champion Casey Stoner tops qualifying times for Sunday 's Catalunya Grand Prix in Spain . Australian Honda rider heads off series leader Dani Pedrosa and Dani Pedrosa of Spain . American Ben Spies will lead the second row after qualifying fourth ahead of Honda 's Casey Stoner . Seven -time world champion Jorge Lorenzo back in ninth position for Ducati .