Stoner hopes for consistent weather

Chris Vermeulen took a shock win for Suzuki at Le Mans in 2007 after rain fell halfway through the race and forced the field to pit and change onto bikes with rain tyres.

The weather has been a constant worry again this weekend, although so far it has not interfered with any of the MotoGP sessions, which have all taken place on a dry track.

"It seems like for the last three or four years it's been exactly the same here - you never know what the weather's going to do," Stoner said.

"When it rains here, it really rains. If it's going to be dry, I'd rather it really was dry and not half and half. If it's going to rain, it's better if it's raining all day rather than just for the race like it did last year.

"We're confident with both the set-ups we have, but it is going to be a very close race at the front."

The reigning champion believes the race for victory will be extremely hard-fought whatever the weather.

"All the lap times this weekend have been really, really close," said Stoner, who has qualified an encouraging third after several disappointing races.

"A lot of riders have been feeling a lot more comfortable here this weekend, not just myself, but a few other riders who have maybe struggled in past races seem to have gathered some information and started to improve their set-ups.

"It's not just myself who will be more confident running up front."