Valentino Rossi pipped Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo to claim pole position for Sunday’s French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
The Italian, a seven-time world champion, produced a lap of one minute 33.408 seconds, 0.054sec faster than this season's overall leader Lorenzo - whom Rossi trails by four points in the standings.
Another Spaniard, Dani Pedrosa, followed in third as he seeks to close the gap to the leading duo. Australia's Casey Stoner, American Nicky Hayden and home favourite Randy De Puniet follow on the second row.
A hard-fought session saw the lead change hands several times in the closing minutes, with Stoner having been a leading contender for a long time on a bike featuring modifications to its front forks.
But Rossi stepped up with the 28th of his 30 laps, earning his first Le Mans pole since 2005, and Lorenzo followed even later in the session to take second.
The third row sees American Colin Edwards of Monster Yamaha sandwiched by Italians Andrea Dovizioso of Repsol Honda and Loris Capirossi, on the only Rizla Suzuki which will take to the start line.
That solo assignment results from Alvaro Bautista being ruled out of the race after a crash in this morning's practice session.
The Spaniard broke his collarbone in a fall in training last week but was optimistic of competing in the race nonetheless.
But he aggravated the injuries after coming off his bike and landing hard on the track in only his third lap today, one of three riders to fall on that lap in low track temperatures.
The others, Ben Spies of Monster Yamaha and Pramac Racing's Mika Kallio, both returned to the action this afternoon but could only qualify in 12th and 16th positions respectively.
