Stoner full of confidence for race

"Yesterday, Friday, I was not so confident, but today we're much more confident in the machine and the tyres. The setting we now have is final," said Stoner.

The championship leader reckons his impressive pace on race tyres during the final practice session bodes very well for Sunday.

"If we can do those times again tomorrow then the race is in the bag," Stoner said. "The tyre is good; not so much better, but I feel more comfortable on it."

He played down the significance of his fourth place on the grid, behind Valentino Rossi, Randy de Puniet and Dani Pedrosa, joking that the only benefit of pole position was the watch presented to pole winners by series organiser Dorna.

"At the end of the session I used a tyre similar to de Puniet... but hey, these pole positions, it's just a watch isn't it?" Stoner said.

The Australian currently has a nine-point lead over Rossi in the championship after the Italian's Mugello victory.