250: Barbera takes stunning Mugello pole.

Hector Barbera has taken pole position for Sunday's 250cc Italian Grand Prix by a mighty 0.772secs.

World championship leader Mika Kallio, seventh in Friday's wet session, shot to the top early in the session and was only relegated with five minutes to go, by Barbera.

Fellow Spaniard Alvaro Bautista then snatched the advantage with two minutes remaining, before Team Toth rider Barbera struck back with a stunning final effort.

Marco Simoncelli was the top Italian, in third for Gilera, while Kallio was left on the outside of the front row in fourth for KTM.

Provisional pole sitter Mattia Pasini fell, like 125cc team-mate Bradley Smith, in the closing stages of the session and will start his first home 250GP from ninth position.

Final qualifying - Mugello:

1. Barbera (Aprilia)
2. Bautista (Aprilia) +0.772secs
3. Simoncelli (Gilera) +0.936secs
4. Kallio (KTM) +0.960secs
5. Pesek (Aprilia) +1.253secs
6. Poggiali (Gilera) +1.469secs
7. Debon (Aprilia) +1.596secs
8. Luthi (Aprilia) +1.701secs
9. Pasini (Aprilia) +1.814secs
10. Aoyama (KTM) +1.841secs

20. Laverty (Aprilia) +4.315secs