McWilliams races to front row spot

Jeremy McWilliams produced a stunning qualifying performance today to claim a provisional front row spot for the penultimate …

Jeremy McWilliams produced a stunning qualifying performance today to claim a provisional front row spot for the penultimate MotoGP race of the season at Phillip Island in Australia.

Ulster's McWilliams, who lists the Australian venue as his favourite, battled for top spot throughout this morning's opening qualifying session.

But the four-stroke West Honda of Alex Barros snatched provisional pole in the dying seconds with a blistering lap of one minute 33.002 seconds.

The two-stroke Red Bull Yamaha of home favourite Garry McCoy took second spot with McWilliams in third aboard his Team KR Proton, less than a quarter of a second down on Barros.