Edwards on pole for Imola

Colin Edwards moved closer to his second World Superbike championship by putting himself on pole for the final round at Imola.

His Superpole time of 1’49.021 puts him ahead of reigning champion and biggest rival Troy Bayliss. The pair are split by Bayliss teammate, Ruben Xaus, with Noriyuki Haga completing the front row on the Aprilia RSV.

Neil Hodgson has qualified well in fifth place, ahead of American Ben Bostrom. James Toseland ended Superpole in seventh, which bodes well for the INS team next year. Pierfranceso Chili claimed eight, Juan Bautista Borja ninth, and Lucio Pedercini tenth.

Chris Walker is just outside the top ten on the Kawasaki, two places ahead of his teammate Izutsu, and Mark Heckles is the final qualifier in 27th.

Meanwhile in World Supersport, the two main championship contenders are first and second, with Frenchman Fabien Foret, the clear championship leader, on pole. Katsuaki Fujiwara will need a win and Foret to drop out of the points to take the championship, but the Japanese rider has qualified second, and will know that anything can happen where Frenchman Foret is concerned.