Sabbatani takes pole - then crashes.

Italian Max Sabbatani sensationally stole the 125cc provisional pole from Youichi Ui with 5mins remaining in Jerez - and held the top spot despite crashing out at the first corner after colliding with two slower riders.

Welkom winner Ui had set the pace in the morning free practise by 0.47secs from Max Sabbatani and Lucio Cecchinello, and this trend continued at the start of the 45 minute session as the Japanese rider soon put his Derbi at the top of the times.

10 minutes later and Nobby Ueda high-sided heavily coming out of the final corner, knocking the wind out of the Japanese rider, but he was fortunately otherwise unhurt.

Italian Cecchinello took the pole away from Ui with 30mins to go, but Ui fought back soon later to retake the position.

Inside the last 10 minutes and Ui remained in control with Jenkner shooting into second with just over 7minutes to go, while Lucio Cecchinello was taken away by ambulance after a heavy crash.

Sabbatani then moved into second and looked on course for pole on his nest lap - and sensationally took pole away from Ui, having never been on the front row.

However disaster soon followed as Sabbatani collided with two slower riders (one of which was Manuel Poggiali) at the first corner, ending his session, but still on pole.

With just seconds of the session remaining, Ui attempted to retake his pole but was ultimately unable to beat the Italian.

Full times to follow....

1. Sabbatani - 1min 49.170secs
2. Ui - 1min 49.287secs
3. Jenkner - 1min 49.782secs
4. Cecchinello - 1min 49.844secs
5. Perugini - 1min 49.898secs
6. Nieto Jr. - 1min 49.944secs
7. Nieto - 1min 49.962secs
8. Poggiali - 1min 50.014secs