As hard as the field tried in the final session no one could match the hard charging Honda rider, who grabbed the number 1 position with his Friday qualifying time of 2m 06.077s.

"I thought Friday’s time was good, but I honestly thought I’d have to go quicker,” Vermeulen said.

“To tell you the truth I have picked up a flu and I feel awful. I am aching and have a sore throat. I made a few little mistakes but no one was able to go quicker and that’s a good feeling. Another pole, pretty good hey!”

Vermeulen’s sensational time would have placed him on the front row in the 250cc Grand Prix, which is an amazing feat on the CBR600.

The Van Zon Honda rider will have his rival Fabien Foret alongside him on the grid and with the Frenchman bidding for the World Championship it could make things interesting in the latter stages of the championship’s penultimate round.

“I realise there will be team orders tomorrow so we’ll have to see how it all pans out,” commented Vermeulen.

“I did a full race test this morning over 17 laps and was 3rd fastest for the session, so that gives me a lot of hope for the race. We’ll just have to wait and see how things pan out, but my plan is to be a long way in front if I can.”

Vermeulen will be chasing his maiden World Championship win and will be attempting to become the youngest ever winner of a World Supersport race.