Aussie Casey Stoner was second fastest at Sepang, starting to settle in at HRC.

Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner says he’s starting to feel at home on the factory RC212V despite being bumped from the top of the time sheet by teammate Dani Pedrosa.

In his second day in factory HRC colours, the Australian slightly improved his lap time, setting a 2:01.434 while turning in an impressive 60 laps.

“Yesterday we really didn’t expect the best time, today we expected a bigger difference with the soft tyre – but with the chassis we chose we just couldn’t get the best out of the tyre,” Stoner commented.

“Tomorrow maybe we can focus a little more to compare the chassis again and then see which direction to go from there. We’ve got a few other small things here and there but they can wait until the next test.

“Now I’m starting to understand the bike a bit better and when I ride it, it feels more like home.”

The best of the 60 Stoner completed came on his penultimate lap, however it was 0.664 off the scorching pace of Pedrosa at the front.

2007 champion Stoner couldn’t get the most out of the softer rear Bridgestone as he continues to gain comfort and confidence with the RC212V, sticking with the 2010 spec forks on Wednesday.