Motorcycling-Pedrosa edges Stoner for Malaysia MotoGP pole

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Spain's Dani Pedrosa secured pole position for the third successive race when he edged out world champion Casey Stoner in qualifying for the Malaysian MotoGP on Saturday.

The Honda rider lapped the Sepang International Circuit in two minutes 01.877 seconds on a hot and humid afternoon to maintain his push for second place in the championship standings with two races remaining.

Australian Stoner, seeking a 10th victory of the season in Sunday's race, clocked 2:01.918 on his Ducati with Italy's Marco Melandri a further 0.026 seconds adrift on another Honda.

Five times premier level world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy could only manage ninth place on the grid after clocking 2:02.466 on his Yamaha.

Pedrosa (201) is 29 points behind Rossi (230) in the standings with 50 available in the final two races, here and in Valencia on Nov. 4, and victory in Malaysia could set up a thrilling showdown between the duo in Spain.

"It's good to be on pole but the race is more important," the 22-year-old told reporters.

"We will have to decide which tyre is better and which set-up we will be going for to make sure we finish on the podium."

Stoner (322 points) clinched his first world title at the Japanese Grand Prix last month.