MOTORCYCLING Live

- That means Valentino Rossi will start on pole, with Casey Stoner in second position, and Jorge Lorenzo in third. For the

- But with Saturday morning's second free practice sessions being held in wet conditions, Friday's dry sessions will thus decide the starting order.

- The result of the cancellation is that grid positions will subsequently be determined by the practice times from Friday.

- As was feared, but expected, the qualifying session in Japan has been officially cancelled due to standing water caused by persistent heavy rain.

- The fans in Japan are displaying admirable patience and commitment as a sea of umbrellas line the grassy - or muddy, if you prefer - banks and the adjoining stands.

- The characters of the riders are highlighted in this strange situation of loitering around, with a very small chance of the session going ahead at all. Some are messing around, like Jorge Lorenzo, with his team and having fun, while others are pacing agitated in front of their garage, like Casey Stoner.

- The qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi has been officially postponed for an hour, in the vain hope that the conditions will improve sufficiently for racing.

- As the rain continues to teem it down, seemingly unrelenting, the stewards bustle about attempting to salvage this qualifying session, but it does not look likely at this stage.

- Welcome to live text commentary of qualifying in Japan as round two of the Moto GP season is put in severe doubt with torrential rain proving a distinct obstacle.