Joey Savatgy underlined his World Supercross Championship credentials with a thrilling battle with his Quad Lock Honda teammate, Christian Craig, for Superpole.
Savatgy, who has come into his own in this championship over the last two rounds, kept it neat as he conquered a ripped-up track as the ruts inside the 3Arena began to deepen.
Savatgy, who set a time of 50.018s, aced the second sector to deny Craig, who himself pulled him into contention for the title with an excellent performance last out in the Australian GP.
Craig looked to have done enough with his Superpole lap with a precise ride across the trickiest track we have seen this season; however, he was pipped at the post by Savatgy, who goes into the Swedish GP in third place in the standings behind Craig.
Jordi Tixier, who has had a tricky season for Team GSM, was a surprise in Superpole and set the third quickest time.
The Frenchman beat Jason Anderson, who arrived here in Stockholm having flown back to Florida from the Australian GP to spend two days drilling in his Suzuki only to fly back across the Atlantic to Sweden.
In the SX2 Superpole, Enzo Lopes continued his excellent form over one lap to take first gate pick with a solid run for Rick Ware Racing.
The Brazilian, who has huge support in his homeland and came into this weekend admiring that the riding conditions suited his conditions, was last up and overcame a tricky rutted surface.
Lopes, who took Superpole in Australia last weekend, was pressed by Michael Hicks on the Stark.
Hicks was a surprise contender for Superpole as silence descended on the 3Arena as he rode his electric-powered bike to second.
It was a fantastic result for Stark, whose founder is Swedish entrepreneur Anton Wass, as Hicks utilised his BMX-style riding techniques.
Meanwhile, championship leader Max Anstie made a number of mistakes on his flying lap. The British rider, who came into this round 4th with the chance of winning the SX2 crown, was only good enough for third, while Coty Schock was fourth.
