The slenderest of margins saw Jules Cluzel snatch World Supersport pole position from Kenan Sofuoglu at Imola with a 1'50.856 putting the Frenchman on top for tomorrow's race.
Sofuoglu was just 0.037 seconds behind in second, as a 1'50.893 took the qualifying decision down to the wire and the Turkish rider will be pleased enough ahead of the race.
Cluzel and Sofuoglu are engaged in battle for the championship and it was evident in both men's speed during the session.
Behind Sofuoglu in third and fourth was Marco Faccani and Patrick Jacobsen but it was a poor enough session for the British riders, with Gino Rea's seventh place on a 1'51.998 the best on offer.
Kyle Smith will be disappointed that he could only get his Pata Honda into tenth place and he will have his work cut out for him to emulate his podium success at Assen last time out.
Unfortunately for Rea's CIA Landlords Insurance Honda team-mate Kieran Clarke, a 1'55.429 was all he could do and his result, which leaves him in 21st position on the grid, will have come as another huge disappointment in what has been a testing season so far for the Englishman.
