Alstare Suzuki man Max Neukirchner showed that he will be a force again this weekend after setting the fastest lap in morning warm-up.
The young German was followed home by rival Carlos Checa who continues to get stronger and stronger in every session onboard his Ten Kate Honda and looks set to be a major player in this afternoons two races.
Pole sitter Troy Bayliss took third place after spending the entire session carving through traffic.
BSB champion Ryuichi Kiyonari set his fastest lap of the weekend during the 20 minute session to take fourth, but will need a strong start if he wants to fight for the podium after qualifying in 13th and on the fourth row of the grid.
Final positions:
1 76 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER Team Alstare Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'39.366
2 7 C. CHECA ESP Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.412
3 21 T. BAYLISS AUS Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08 1'39.791
4 23 R. KIYONARI JPN Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.858
5 55 R. LACONI FRA Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'39.877
6 11 T. CORSER AUS Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1 1'39.887
7 41 N. HAGA JPN Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1 1'40.002
8 111 R. XAUS ESP Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08 1'40.051
9 34 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'40.097
10 36 G. LAVILLA ESP Ventaxia VK Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1'40.125
11 10 F. NIETO ESP Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'40.264
12 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08 1'40.371
13 96 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing by Grifo's Ducati 1098 RS 08 1'40.515
14 100 M.TAMADA JPN Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'40.519
15 54 K. SOFUOGLU TUR Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Jr. Honda CBR1000RR 1'40.644
16 94 D. CHECA ESP Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 Yamaha YZF-R1 1'40.672
17 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08 1'40.822
18 194 S. GIMBERT FRA Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 Yamaha YZF-R1 1'40.902
19 44 R. ROLFO ITA Hannspree Honda Althea Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.080
20 31 K. MUGGERIDGE AUS D.F. Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.098
21 86 A. BADOVINI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'41.125
22 38 S. NAKATOMI JPN YZF Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R1 1'41.172
23 88 S. AOYAMA JPN Alto Evolution Honda Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.503
24 83 R. HOLLAND AUS D.F. Racing - Bertocchi Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.938
25 28 A. VOS NED Fabricom - MCT Racing Ducati 1098 RS 08 1'42.661
26 22 L. MORELLI ITA Alto Evolution Honda Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1'42.983
27 13 V. IANNUZZO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'43.466
28 77 L. NAPOLEONE FRA Grillini PBR Team Yamaha YZF-R1 1'43.491