Top qualifying slots for all three KTM 250 riders in Phillip Island

Kallio, who has scored three victories and five podium finishes this season, is determined to keep his title chances alive. Aoyama, a four times GP winner on KTM, tested the new chassis for his KTM FRR 250, one that Kallio has worked with for the last three races.

Crash spoils Aoyama's chance to race with new chassis
Recognizable by its traditional air intake for the airbox - the older version features a central air intake through the steering head - the new frame was designed to give the riders additional feel and improved handling in the corners. But Aoyama's trial run was short-cut when he crashed in the wet afternoon session. His bike hit the tyre barrier so hard it catapulted over the fence and the new chassis was left with irreversible changes to the steering geometry. Aoyama had to revert to the old version for the remainder of the weekend.

Big moment on Frida for Kallio
Mika Kallio also had a big moment in the wet Friday afternoon session, when he high-sided and went off the track at high speed. The 25-year-old Finn showed mastery in keeping the bike balanced and just cleared another tyre wall by a fraction.

Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM 250 - 2nd in 1.32,862)
"We can be happy with our achievements so far. We improved steadily from session to session and in the end, we managed to get good lap times. Of course, as a rider, you always want to be first, so I'm not 100 per cent satisfied but it's difficult to pinpoint just where we are missing out. The engine performance is good, we could maybe try to find more grip out of the fastest corners but our tyres and chassis set-up are also good. Of course, we'll try to improve our bike further in tomorrow's warm-up and I'll pull all stops in the race to fight for victory!"

Hiroshi Aoyama (Red Bull KTM 250 - 4th in 1.33,048)
"We went back to our standard chassis this morning and focussed on tyre testing and a set-up that would give me enough confidence under brakes. We managed that and we're on the right track. Even though it looked like I could have finished higher in this afternoon's qualifying I can be satisfied to be on the front row of the grid. Mika, Simoncelli, Bautista and I seem to have a better rhythm than the rest of the field, so I expect a close and exciting race between the four of us." Aoyama said he had felt good with the 2009 chassis in testing and said his best apology for damaging it in the crash would be a good result in Sunday's race.

Julian Simon (Repsol KTM 250 - 6th in 1.33,250)
"Final qualifying went really well for us. The bike felt good, we found the right tyres and the times started to come in. I wanted to push for a front row grid position but I'm also happy to be on the second row. I really like this track. It's very beautiful and has fast, exciting corners. I've always managed to get good results here on Phillip Island and hope I can keep my good record. It will be hard but I'll try everything to get a podium finish!"

Harald Bartol (Technical Director)
"All of our 250 riders feel good here at Phillip Island, but I don't want to take credit for our bike. It's the circuit, a true motorcycle track that is challenging the best riders out there. And without a doubt, Mika, Hiro and Julian belong to the best."