Saturday, 12th April 2008

Marco Simoncelli successfully defended his Friday provisional pole and will thus start from the front of the 250cc grid for the first time ever at Estoril on Sunday.

The Gilera rider, robbed of a debut victory last time out at Jerez when he hit a suddenly-slowing race leader Alvaro Bautista on the very last lap, set a best lap time 0.297secs quicker than Bautista's Aspar Aprilia.

Championship leader Mattia Pasini lost the front of his Polaris World Aprilia in the opening minutes of the session, splitting the fuel tank, but will still start Sunday's Portuguese Grand prix from third position.

Finn Mika Kallio, a surprise winner at Jerez after the incident ahead, completes the front row for KTM.

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Final qualifying - Estoril:

1. Simoncelli (Gilera)
2. Bautista (Aprilia) +0.297secs
3. Pasini (Aprilia) +0.396secs
4. Kallio (KTM) +0.515secs
5. Takahashi (Honda) +0.806secs
6. Aoyama (KTM) +0.971secs
7. Debon (Aprilia) +1.023secs
8. Luthi (Aprilia) +1.099secs
9. Barbera (Aprilia) +1.113secs
10. Faubel (Aprilia) +1.213secs

21. Laverty (Aprilia) +3.040secs

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