Ducati pair Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau turned their pre-season testing speed into dominance in the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship as reigning champion Valentino Rossi struggled in final qualifying at Jerez.
Italian Rossi had topped provisional qualifying on the Camel Yamaha but was down in ninth as the Ducati Marlboro machines dominated.
Italian Capirossi was quickest with a time of one minute 39.064 seconds and will be joined on the front row by Spaniard Gibernau, Japan's Shinya Nakano on the Kawasaki and American Nicky Hayden's Repsol Honda.
Cumbrian James Ellison was 18th of the 19 riders and will start from the wrong end of the grid on the Tech 3 Yamaha.
The only rider Ellison beat was German Alex Hofmann, who crashed his Pramac d'Antin Ducati early in the session. The oil spilled from his bike, causing problems to a group of riders which included Rossi.
Chaz Davies will start the 250cc race from the fourth row after finishing 16th in the final qualifying session on the Campetella Aprilia.
Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo will start from pole position on the Fortuna Aprilia.
