Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa stole the pole position by five thousanth of second from Jorge Lorenzo in the last 10 seconds of the qualifying session.
Casey Stoner was third, fourth for Valentino Rossi just in front of Andrea Dovizioso.
Five riders that are all in three tenths of second.
The qualifying session was dry and sunny and Pramac rider and rookie Mika Kallio was for the first time at the top of the charts for over thirty minutes, but later in the session his mechanics dismantled his bike which left Kallio in 14th.
Randy DePuniet crashed out in the opening minutes of the session, destroying his LCR Honda and had to run back to his garage to get his 2nd bike to claim 10th position.
Marco Melandri also crashed out when he lost his front, hitting hard his shoulder and left wrist, the Italian rider rider returned to the Hayate garage, changed his leathers and then went out again and finished 9th.
Colin Edwards was showing strong form on one of his favorite European tracks with a good race pace, but eventually fell back to sixth place on the grid.
Rizla Suzuli riders Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi were 7th and 8th respectively.
Toni Elias suffering from arm pump problems was 11th and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider James Toseland was 12th.
Even with the new and’ simplified’ electronics Nicky Hayeden was still struggling and finished 13th.
Hayden is also battling a case of bronchitis.