World champion Casey Stoner was unstoppable in qualifying at a rain-soaked Donington on Saturday to take pole position for Sunday's British Grand Prix.  
   
The Australian, fastest in Friday's practice, pipped Valentino Rossi and Chris Vermeulen to clock 1min 38.232sec. American duo Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards came home next.
   
Suzuki rider Vermeulen makes his first front row start of the season, which was also good news for Bridgestone, who for the first time this year will occupy all three top spots for a MotoGP race.
   
Hayden's problem-free qualifying with a modified Honda engine ensures a second-row start on Sunday giving him a realistic chance of a podium finish.
   
"I came away from Catalunya with a pretty clear idea of what I wanted, and I really pushed to use this engine and this chassis," said the 2006 world champion.
   
"So far things have been going great. I can't say that I've had a single problem."
   
Teammate Pedrosa had less luck on Saturday, slipping down the field in the frantic last stages of qualifying, to reduce the chances of adding to his 2006 win here.
   
But the standout performer was Stoner, who clocked up the 12th pole position of his career and his second of the season after starting first at the Catalunya Grand Prix.
   
Stoner badly needs a win to kickstart the defence of his world title. He currently trails Rossi by 50 points and has only won once this season, at  Qatar in March.
   
Rossi, who will compete in his 200th grand prix on Sunday, was happy to be starting on the front row.
   
"I'm so happy with this qualifying result and it's very important for us that we're on the front row," said the confident Italian.
   
"It's my 200th race and it's very exciting for me to reach another landmark in my career, but for now I think about it as just another race."
   
It was disappointment for Britain's James Toseland, who will start Sunday's race in 16th place after taking a tumble during qualifying.
   
The 27-year-old, who had earmarked Donington for his first poduim placing in this his rookie season, now has a stiff challenge ahead of him.