Leok posted a solid lap in the middle of the session to secure the number one gate pick, on a day when it was announced that Belgian Manuel Priem will ride alongside the Estonian next season.

Suzuki's Kevin Strijbos was second fastest with title leading team-mate Ramon third. Since Josh Coppins has withdrawn from the event due to injury, Ramon only needs to nurse his 38 point advantage over Strijbos to take his first premier-class crown on Sunday.

"Things went well today," said Steve. "We already had our sand set-up in place but we made a few changes and I felt good on the track. I only have to score points tomorrow but I am doing my best not to think about it. The motos will be tough and physically hard. It will be easy to make a mistake so I must keep concentrated."

Behind Ramon, Marc de Reuver bounced back from a desperate slump in form to take fourth on the lone factory Yamaha, ahead of TM rider Priem and KTM's David Philippaerts. Sebastien Pourcel, who, like Strijbos, still has a slim chance of grasping the title, will be starting from the bottom of the top ten.

In the MX2 class, world champion Antonio Cairoli marked his return in style by dominating the first qualifying moto. In the second qualifying heat, Gareth Swanepoel of Molson Kawasaki and Erik Eggens of Beuersfoon Suzuki battled it out for the first place, which was eventually taken by the South African. Eggens brought his bike home in second, as Rui Goncalves did in the first heat, after having lead the first two laps.