Unbeaten Friday time gives Gadea first pole of 2008

The front row for the 125cc Alice Grand Prix de France was unaffected by events in the Saturday afternoon qualifying session, with Sergio Gadea confirming his first pole position of 2008.

The Mapfre Aspar rider will have a clear track in front of him when the lights go out tomorrow, at the scene of his first World Championship victory last season. His time of 1´43.515 from yesterday was unbeaten by his 125cc rivals, and he himself was nearly a second down on his previous marker.

The only member of the front row contingent to improve upon their times was Bradley Smith, although the Polaris World rider´s time was not quite enough for him to move up into pole. He was just 0.025 slower than Gadea.

Stefan Bradl and World Championship leader Simone Corsi complete the first line of attack, ahead of Sandro Cortese, Mike di Meglio, Nico Terol and reigning title holder Gabor Talmacsi. Di Meglio suffered a spectacular tumble late on in the session, as did his fellow home rider Cyril Carillo, but both will be able to assume their places on the grid tomorrow.