James Toseland edged closer to a second World Superbike crown after securing pole for Sunday's final races of the season at Magny-Cours in France.
The Briton, who switches to MotoGP next season, was further boosted as title rival Max Biaggi could only manage the sixth fastest time in superpole.
The Italian needs to make up a 29-point deficit to deny the Sheffield rider.
Toseland said: "To get pole in my last races in Superbikes is a big 'thank you' to everyone who has supported me."
The HANNspree Ten Kate Honda star, who turned 27 on Friday, added: "It's not a bad birthday present to myself either."
Toseland clocked a fastest lap of one minute 38.501 seconds, with Max Neukirchner - riding Yukio Kagayama's Alstare Suzuki - second in 1.38.524.
Australia's Troy Corser (1:38.624) took third and Japan's Nori Haga (1:38.897) was fourth.
Lorenzo Lanzi beat his countryman Biaggi in claiming fifth, 2006 champion Troy Bayliss was seventh and Frenchman Regis Laconi secured eighth.
Starting grid for World Superbike races at Magny Cours:
1 James Toseland (Gbr) Honda 1mins 38.501secs
2 Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki 1:38.524
3 Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha 1:38.624
4 Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha 1:38.897
5 Lorenzo Lanzi (Ita) Ducati 1:38.955
6 Max Biaggi (Ita) Suzuki 1:38.982
7 Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 1:39.174
8 Regis Laconi (Fra) Kawasaki 1:39.638
9 Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Kawasaki 1:40.129
10 Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 1:40.150
11 Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda 1:40.199
12 Michel Fabrizio (Ita) Honda 1:40.390
13 Steve Martin (Aus) Honda 1:40.834
14 Yoann Tiberio (Fra) Honda 1:41.106
15 Jakub Smrz (Cze) Ducati 1:41.391
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