Barragan has never ridden the Monte Coralli track before, but that didn't stop the KTM Red Bull rider setting the pace ahead of Kawasaki's MX1 rookie Sebastian Pourcel with Suzuki's Steve Ramon in third.

CAS Honda team-mates Ken de Dycker and Mike Brown completed the top five, with world championship leader Josh Coppins just seventh fastest – behind Italian Alex Salvini. Coppins' factory Yamaha team-mate Marc de Reuver sat out timed practice and will skip tomorrow's race due to his recent injuries sustained in Sweden.

The biggest news in MX2 happened off the track when KTM Red Bull Racing announced that both Rattray and Searle will stay with the factory team in the MX2 class next season. Both had been linked to an AMA move, while Rattray was also rumoured to have been considering a switch to MX1.

Sunday's MX2 races look set to see a further battle between reigning champion Christophe Pourcel and runaway 2007 points leader Antonio Cairoli after each won their respective heats. Rattray and Davide Guarneri also rode strong, finishing second in their respective races.