Defending champion Stoner has won the last three races

Casey Stoner will start on pole position for the fifth race in a row in Sunday's US MotoGP at Laguna Seca.

The Australian Ducati rider broke his own record at the circuit with a time of one minute 20.700 seconds.

World championship leader Valentino Rossi starts second, with Nicky Hayden third and Jorge Lorenzo in fourth.

Briton James Toseland was fifth fastest, his best qualifying position since the opening race of the season in Qatar where he qualified in second.

Dani Pedrosa, who lies second in the world championship standings between leader Rossi and Stoner, has pulled out of Sunday's race in California after failing to recover from the injuries he suffered last time out in Germany.

Alex de Angelis, who came home in 16th place, could be a doubt for the race after crashing heavily and appearing to suffer an injury to his lower arm or wrist.

US MotoGP qualifying result:

1 C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1:20.700
2 V Rossi (Ita) Fiat Yamaha 1:21.147
3 N Hayden (US) Repsol Honda 1:21.430
4 J Lorenzo (Spn) Fiat Yamaha 1:21.636
5 J Toseland (GB) Tech3 Yamaha 1:21.848
6 R de Puniet (Fr) Honda LCR 1:21.921
7 C Edwards (US) Tech3 Yamaha 1:21.947
8 C Vermeulen (Aus) Rizla Suzuki 1:21.971
9 A Dovizioso (Ita) JiR Scot Honda 1:21.974
10 A Elias (Spn) D'Antin Ducati 1:21.999