Mapfre Aprilia's Alvaro Bautista has taken provisional pole for the 250cc Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai.

The Spaniard, second to Marco Simoncelli in morning practice, took the Friday advantage by 0.367secs over KTM's Mika Kallio.

Simoncelli fell with seven minutes of first qualifying remaining and was left seventh on the provisional grid.

The Friday front row is completed by the Aprilias of Hector Barbera and Thomas Luthi, with star rookie Mattia Pasini heading row two.

First qualifying - Shanghai:

1. Bautista (Aprilia)

2. Kallio (KTM) +0.367secs

3. Barbera (Aprilia) +0.496secs

4. Luthi (Aprilia) +0.818secs

5. Pasini (Aprilia) +1.084secs

6. Simon (KTM) +1.203secs

7. Simoncelli (Gilera) +1.302secs

8. Faubel (Aprilia) +1.640secs

9. Aoyama (KTM) +1.649secs

10. Takahashi (Honda) +1.923secs

18. Laverty (Aprilia) +3.903secs