A three-time world champion, Sofuoglu was the top Kawasaki rider in qualifying, with his team-mate Roberto Tamburini in fifth place and Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres rider Patrick Jacobsen in sixth.
 
Riding at his home track Florian Marino (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) pushed hard but was unable to get closer than eighth in the pre-race order. Rookie rider Alessandro Nocco (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) slotted into 12^th place as he grows in pace and confidence.
 
Experienced rider Roberto Rolfo (Team Go Eleven) placed 17^th of the 28 riders on show, with new Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres inductee Mason Law in 22^nd place on the grid. Go Eleven Kawasaki rider Christian Gamarino was 26^th.
 
Track conditions on Sunday may change from the warm and dry conditions that have blessed most of the practice and qualifying sessions so far, with some chance of rainfall forecast at an inopportune time.
 
Kenan Sofuoglu: “We made a real improvement compared to yesterday and that means we are already on a good pace. It looks like someone did a really fast lap to take pole but if you look at the race pace I am sure we are one of the fastest. My Kawasaki is back now and San Carlo Puccetti Racing is doing a very good job to prepare the bike for the sessions, so I have to say thanks for the team. I am very happy about the power of my bike and I have to say thanks to Kawasaki for helping us to reach this level now. A front row start is always the goal for me, and we have achieved that goal. It looks like it will be a rain race tomorrow but it doesn’t matter. Wet or dry we have the aim to win the race.”