Rea, who was second fastest in the morning’s free practice session, gradually moved up the order in the final 50-minute qualifying session, and briefly took pole position with 20-minutes remaining aboard the Dunlop-shod machine.

However, the 19-year-old had to settle for fourth position when the rain came down with twelve minutes of the session remaining, putting a halt to the teenager’s chances of posting a faster time.

As a result the Ulsterman, who currently lies in sixth place in the championship, will start both of tomorrow’s double-point-scoring 20-lap races from the front row of the grid.

Red Bull Honda Supersport rider Eugene Laverty qualified his Honda CBR600RR in fourth place after two hectic 40-minute qualifying sessions.

The 20-year-old was fastest in the first session, but had to settle for fourth position overall after the competitive second qualifying session, giving him his tenth front row start of the season.

The Ulsterman currently holds third position in the championship, after the honours were awarded to Cal Crutchlow last time out at Silverstone, but he is hoping to claim second place in the championship in tomorrow’s double-header, and add to his tally of six podium finishes this season.

Jonathan Rea:
“I’m happy enough. It’s not been the ideal weekend for getting a good set-up but we’re fast in the wet and fast in the dry. The bike is working well and I’ve got my preferred inside line start for turn one so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Eugene Laverty:
“I was quickest on the race tyre and we tried a few different settings. In the first dry session we were left behind a little bit but I was happy with things half way through the session and we can build on that. I’m looking forward to two races tomorrow.”

Red Bull Honda Team Manager Havier Beltran:
“I’m happy for Jonathan, his time was done on a race tyre as it just started to rain when he went out on the qualifier, but he’s got a good race set-up. Eugene had his first 40-minute dry session of the weekend this morning so we still need to work on the dry setting a little but I’m confident that he can go well in the races. With both guys on the front row, we’re really looking forward to some good races tomorrow.”