Cluzel was the only rider within a second of pole sitter Kyle Smith in what were tricky conditions, on a track where grip is notoriously unpredictable in the wet. Bardahl Evan Bros. Yamaha Supported WorldSSP rider, Federico Caricasulo qualified in fourth position, while his teammate and championship leader, Randy Krummenacher, will join the Italian on the second row after qualifying in sixth place.
Just 10 points separates the two Bardahl Yamaha riders at the top of the championship standings and neither of the pair were prepared to throw caution to the wind and risk everything for a fast time in the tricky conditions today. Both are confident that, should the race be run in the dry as forecast, then they have the pace to continue their battle for the title at the front of the race.
GMT94 Yamaha's Corentin Perolari will start tomorrow from the middle of the third row after qualifying in a creditable eighth place today, while Kallio Racing Yamaha Supported WorldSSP rider, Isaac Viñales, will also start from row three in ninth position.
It proved a difficult qualifying session for the Kallio Racing Yamaha pairing of Thomas Gradinger and Loris Cresson, with the Austrian just managing to qualify inside the 107% cut off 21st place, while the Belgian was just outside but will be allowed to race tomorrow from 22nd position on the grid.