Pedrosa, 20, who took pole last week in Shanghai and went on to win the race, will start as a big favourite for Honda here having won at Le Mans three years in a row while riding in the less powerful categories.

The Spaniard won the past two years on 250cc and in 2003 on a 125cc, and gave his victory chances a boost by hitting a top speed of 271.8 kph to break the lap record time previously held by Italian icon Valentino Rossi.

Pedrosa, who last week became the second youngest winner of a race in motorcycling's premier category, will start Sunday's race just ahead of Japan's Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) and American John Hopkins (Suzuki).

Frenchman Randy de Puniet will start in fourth place on the second line alongside two Italians who have already won this season - Marco Melandri (Turkish GP) and Loris Capirossi (Spanish GP).

Reigning world champion Rossi, riding a Yamaha, will start from the third row.