2009 125cc world champion Julian Simon took his seventh pole position of the season during qualifying for the Valencia season finale on Saturday.

The home-grown Aspar Aprilia star was a regular feature on pole throughout the session, but also a target for slower riders seeking a tow. Simone Corsi tucked in behind Simon at just the right time and was towed up to second position, just 0.004sec from pole, for Fontana Aprilia.

Simon's team-mate and former title rival Bradley Smith, who has already secured second in the standings, was also a consistent frontrunner on his way to third place, 0.358sec from pole.

Marc Marquez will start KTM's final race as a factory team in the 125cc class from the outside of the front row in fourth.

Jack & Jones Aprilia rider Nicolas Terol, who will start the final round with a 15 point lead over Pol Espargaro for third in the championship, qualified in sixth.

Young German wild-card Marcel Schrotter, who caused a stir with third on Friday, qualified his Toni-Mang Honda in seventh, just ahead of Espargaro.

The session was briefly delayed due to an apparent problem with a TV camera.


Qualifying - Valencia:

1. Simon (Aprilia) 1min 41.472sec
2. Corsi (Aprilia) +0.004sec
3. Smith (Aprilia) +0.358sec
4. Marquez (KTM) +0.519sec
5. Olive (Derbi) +0.561sec
6. Terol (Aprilia) +0.620sec
7. Schrotter (Honda) +0.639sec
8. Espargaro (Derbi) +0.690sec
9. Redding (Aprilia) +0.761sec
10. Cortese (Derbi) +0.774sec

28. Webb (Aprilia) +2.812sec