Lee Johnston will start from the front row in Saturday's Macau Grand Prix after finishing third quickest in qualifying on the street circuit.

The Fermanagh rider came in behind pole-setter Stuart Easton and eight-times winner Michael Rutter.

Johnston, who won two races in May's North West 200, was the top Northern Ireland finisher in 2013 in ninth.

Crumlin's Stephen Thompson was 14th fastest while Jamie Hamilton crashed out and will not race.

Last year's winner Iain Hutchinson was fourth quickest in the Far East.



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