Edwards happy despite losing front row

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider was competitive throughout the session and looked like a threat for pole, but late improvements by Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner pushed Edwards make to fifth.

"Missing the front row like that is a bit of a shame but I've got to be happy," Edwards said.

"It would have been nice to get on the front row but I still feel like I can be up with the guys tomorrow.

"I put my first qualifier in early just in case it rained and I did a 48.7 and told my team 'we can do a 47.' You are talking about finding another seven tenths but I'd made a few little mistakes. I thought we could do it but just missed out at the end."

He reckons he has never felt as comfortable around Mugello as he has this weekend.

"I have never in my entire life been this happy at this track," Edwards said. "To have confidence is one thing, but then to come to a track that you have never done any good on and do well, that just amplifies the confidence feeling.

"You realise the tyres and the bike are working like a dream because every year I've been to this track I've had chatter, and now I don't have chatter and the bike works unbelievably."

Edwards believes tyre longevity while be the key to tomorrow's race, especially as teams have had very little dry running this weekend.

"Tyres are going to be more critical than ever and I think we've got to be a bit cautious in the beginning," he said.

"We'll have to stay with the guys but I don't think we can go too crazy with the tyres. We've got to do 23 laps and none of us have had chance to endurance test tyres so that just adds to the intrigue. Michelin have been doing a great job so I'm confident."