Kenan Sofuoglu marked his return to Supersport competition with a bang by sweeping to pole position for the season ending round at Portimao, Portugal.

The reigning champion has stepped back to Supersports this weekend after a torrid maiden year in Superbikes, ahead of a full-time return in 2009.

However, Sofuoglu hasn't taken long to get reacquainted with the Ten Kate Honda bike he took to a record-breaking number of wins last year, surging to the top of the timesheets at the half way point before slicing tenths of his advantage over the remainder of the session.

At one point almost a second quicker than anyone else, he was eventually pegged back to a tenth by Broc Parkes, who bounced back from a disappointing performance in the wet to get the Yamaha on the front row.

They will be joined at the head of the field by Suzuki's Barry Veneman and new champion Andrew Pitt, the Aussie rider also showing a significant improvement over his provisional effort.

Honda, who locked out the top six yesterday, continued to make their presence felt by rounding out the remainder of the top ten, led by Joan Lascorz in fifth and being followed by Joshua Brookes, Josh Hayes, provisional pole sitter Matthieu Lagrive and Gianluca Vizziello.

With Jonathan Rea competing in Superbikes this weekend and Graeme Gowland forced to call time on his season early, Chris Martin is the only Brit on the WSS grid in Portugal. He will start 28th.