Estoril MotoGP: Danny Webb claims debut 125GP front row

British teenager Danny Webb has claimed the first front row start of his career in Estoril this afternoon when he finished fourth fastest in final 125GP qualifying.

Second with only five minutes to go, the Aprilia rider clung onto a front row start after being bumped back down to fourth by team-mate Steve Bonsey and Nicolas Terol in the closing stages.

Webb clocked a fastest lap of 1.45.622 to slash a massive 4.2s off his best time set yesterday when he struggled to find a set-up for the challenging Estoril circuit.

Webb, who is still recovering from a nasty left finger gash he suffered when crashing out of contention for the top ten in Jerez last month, said: “Yesterday was a bit of a disaster because  I just couldn’t find the set-up. But we worked hard and this is a great result. Hopefully I can be fighting at the front for my first podium tomorrow.”

British rookie Scott Redding will start from 10th on the grid as he clocked a best lap of 1.46.329. Polaris World Aprilia rider Bradley Smith failed to continue his brilliant 2008 qualifying form.

Smith had started from pole position in Qatar and Jerez but is only 13th on the grid for tomorrow’s 23-lap race.

Spanish GP winner Simone Corse will start from pole position.