After setting second-quickest time in practice, Briton Ben Watson took his Kemea Yamaha to a strong fourth in the hot Italian MX2 GP qualifying heat at Ottobiano.

He had a strong start and stayed close to the leading group as Thomas Covington took the holeshot and led right to the end.

Jorge Prado took his factory KTM to second place, seven seconds behind, while Calvin Vlaandered was third a further five seconds back – two seconds in front of Watson.

World championship leader Pauls Jonass was fifth while Conrad Mewse took a fighting seventh and Adam Sterry 12th.