De Puniet delighted with late surge

The Kawasaki rider had been rapid throughout dry practice and the early stages of qualifying, but was pushed down the order just before the downpour that struck with a quarter of an hour remaining.

De Puniet fell all the way to 13th before rejoining for a last minute lap, and despite conditions still being extremely wet, he was able to jump to third place.

"I am very happy because I stopped a bit late on my first run and when I restart the track was completely wet," he said.

"I had to wait for better conditions and in my last lap the conditions (were) not so bad. I decide to push to the maximum because the first row here is very important."

He is confident that he will be quick enough to stay at the front if the weather dries up for tomorrow's race, and is thankful that he does not have to fight his way through the pack to reach the lead group.

"I am fast in dry conditions and if I was in fourth or fifth row it would be very difficult," said de Puniet. "I'm satisfied with bike and tyre."