Stop following me, Stoner tells Elias

The Ducati rider, who has won two of the first three races of the season, said he was unhappy at the close attention Elias was paying him.

"Every session in the last two races, he has either got in my road or stuck on my arse-end," the 21-year-old from New South Wales told reporters.

"There's maybe 5.2-kms of track so he should find his own piece because I'm just sick of him following me all the time."

The Australian said he did not have any problem with other riders following him because they did not do it all the time.

"But every time I'm out on track Elias seems to be there," he added. "You know, it's not right."

Stoner said the problem started in practice for the last race in Turkey two weeks ago, where Stoner claimed his second MotoGP victory and Honda rider Elias finished second behind him.

"In Turkey, I passed him and he immediately tried to outbreak me, which was just stupid," Stoner said. "Again that same afternoon, I was starting my fast lap and he pulled in front of me and held me up through a corner.

"I just think it's unnecessary, he should either follow someone else or find his own bit of track."

Stoner was eighth on the timesheets over Friday's two practice sessions for Sunday's race, while Elias was 14th fastest.