Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia received a boost ahead of his duel with Jorge Martin for this season's MotoGP crown as he was promoted to pole position for Sunday's final race in Valencia.
Maverick Vinales was demoted from pole for failing to "leave the racetrack" during Sunday's warm-up when a black flag was waved at him after smoke billowed from his bike.
The Spaniard will start from fourth spot as a result.
Bagnaia will begin on pole with Ducati-Primac's Martin, who is 14 points adrift of the Italian, on the second row.
Martin can take his first MotoGP world title for sure if he wins and Bagnaia finishes outside the top five.