The Australian MotoGP defending world champion Casey Stoner has blamed an insect for costing him pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix as he tries to close on points leader Valentino Rossi.
Rossi's Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo has shattered the course record to take pole for today's race, while Ducati's Stoner posted the second fastest time, securing a front-row start along with US Honda rider Nicky Hayden.
Rossi clocked the fourth fastest qualifying time.
Stoner says an insect hit his visor in the final minutes of the qualifying session and he couldn't see his apex point so lost his confidence to push hard.
