Facts and figures for the 250cc class contest in Germany

- Marco Simoncelli starts from pole for only the second time since moving to the 250cc class – the other was in Portugal earlier this year.

- Julian Simon has equalled his best ever grid position (second) in the 250cc class that he achieved at the French GP last year.

- Hector Barbera starts from the front row for the fifth successive race. Barbera´s best result at the Sachsenring in the 250cc class was a fifth two years ago.

- Mika Kallio is back on the front row for the first time since the Mugello race. Kallio won the 125cc race at the Sachsenring in 2005 and last year was second on his first visit to the circuit riding a 250cc machine.

- The German GP was the only race in 2007 where KTM riders took the first two places in a 250cc Grand Prix.

- For the first time this year Alvaro Bautista has qualified lower than third place on the grid – in fifth position.

- Fabrizio Lai has qualified in his best grid position (seventh) since moving up to the 250cc class at the start of last year – his previous best was tenth on the grid at Donington three weeks ago.