SUZUKA, Japan -- World champion Valentino Rossi powered his 900cc four-stroke Honda to the fastest time in Saturday's qualifying, claiming the pole position for the season-opening motorcycle Grand Prix of Japan.

Rossi, who finished second in Friday's first qualifying session, covered the 3.64-mile Suzuka Circuit in 2 minutes, 04.226 seconds, edging compatriot Loris Capirossi's 500cc Honda by 0.183 seconds. Capirossi had the fastest time in Friday's qualifying session.

Rossi, last year's Grand Prix of Japan winner, lost control of his Honda in the morning practice session but was unhurt. He also had slip during qualifying Friday.

"The pole position means a lot," Rossi said. "With the crash yesterday and then again this morning it was important to have a good time and the level of competition here is very high."

Conditions were good for Saturday's qualifying, but rain is forecast for Sunday.

The Grand Prix of Japan, the first stop in the 2002 season, marks the introduction of MotoGP's four-stroke era and the new 900cc machines.

Capirossi, who finished third in the overall standings last season behind Rossi and fellow Italian Max Biaggi, said the difficult Suzuka circuit provides an even playing field for both four and two stroke bikes.

"On this track, I don't think there is much difference between the four stroke and two stroke machines," Capirossi said. "In the last qualifying everyone is pushing a little harder and there were some very good times today."

Japan's Shinichi Ito, who last competed in a Grand Prix in 1999 at Motegi, Japan, thrilled local fans by claiming third place on his Honda in 2:04.435. Spain's Carlos Checa was fourth in 2:04.450 on a Yamaha.

Aprilia's Spanish riders won pole in both the 250cc and 125cc categories.

Fonsi Nieto was fastest in 250cc qualifying with a quickest lap time of 2:08.049. France's Randy De Puniet was second in 2:08.168 and Italian Marco Melandri was third in 2:08.579.

Daniel Pedrosa was quickest in the 125cc qualifying in 2:13.957, almost a half second ahead of compatriot Pablo Nieto. Italy's Lucio Cecchinello was third in 2:14.471.