The Czech rider clocked a time of 1min 43.370secs for his first top spot start since the 2006 German Grand Prix, just three thousandths of a second quicker than his Spanish rival. The hot lap came right at the death of the session, with the Derbi racer bumping himself up from a provisional third on the grid.

Lining up alongside the duo will be local rider Mattia Pasini, who himself was only eleven thousandths of a second off pole. The Italian was born and bred in Rimini, one of the riders with the closest connection to the Misano circuit.

Gabor Talmacsi completes the front row as he continues his title challenge, and is determined to get back onto the podium after missing out in the epic Czech Republic battle. He currently lies ten points behind team-mate Faubel.

Simone Corsi starts from the head of the second row, ahead of Tomoyoshi Koyama in a fastest six that is packed with race winners. The second line of attack is completed by Esteve Rabat and Sandro Cortese.


Qualifying – Misano:

1. Pesek (Derbi)
2. Faubel (Aprilia) +0.003secs
3. Pasini (Aprilia) +0.011secs
4. Talmacsi (Aprilia) +0.171secs
5. Corsi (Aprilia) +0.241secs
6. Koyama (KTM) +0.325secs
7. Rabat (Honda) +0.725secs
8. Cortese (Aprilia) +0.872secs
9. Smith (Honda) +1.015secs
10. Gadea (Aprilia) +1.159secs

33. Webb (Honda) +3.244secs