Spain's Jorge Lorenzo, on a Yamaha, took pole position for Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix, the first world championship race to be held under lights.
The double 250cc world champion edged another rookie James Toseland, the reigning world Superbike champion of Britain, on a Yamaha Tech 3, in final qualifying.
American team Colin Edwards will start the race from third.
Australia's defending world champion Casey Stoner will begin the race on the second row on his Ducati alongside France's Randy De Puniet and Nicky Hayden of the United States, the 2006 champion.
Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will line up on the third row.
Qualifying results:
1 Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 1 minute 53.927 seconds
2 James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha 1:54.182
3 Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 1:54.499
4 Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 1:54.733
5 Randy de Puniet (France) Honda 1:54.818
6 Nicky Hayden (US) Honda 1:54.880
7 Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 1:55.133
8 Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 1:55.170
9 Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 1:55.185
10 John Hopkins (US) Kawasaki 1:55.263.
