The Australian rider Casey Stoner has claimed his fourth French MotoGP pole position as Honda took the top three spots in qualifying.
The 25-year-old 2007 world champion - who won the season opener in Qatar - led a Honda 1-2-3 in qualifying as he edged out two Italians, Marco Simoncelli and Andrea Dovizioso.
Stoner had been outpaced in qualifying early on by Spanish star Dani Pedrosa, winner of the previous MotoGP in Portugal, but the Australian rallied to regain pole for Monday's race.
Pedrosa will start from fourth position on another Honda while reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo was fifth fastest on his Yamaha.
