The 21-year-old Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider claimed provisional pole position to pile the pressure on his team-mate and championship leader, Andrew Pitt from Australia.

Rea, from Larne, is just 11 points adrift of Pitt in the race for the World Supersport title with only tomorrow’s French race and the final round in Portugal on November 2 left to run on the 2008 calendar.

The Larne ace set a hot pace in the first timed session yesterday afternoon, with a lap in 1’42.849s putting him ahead of Broc Parkes (1’43.007) and Dutch rider Barry Veneman (1’43.343).

Pitt could only manage the sixth fastest time yesterday but with final qualifying set to resume today he has another opportunity to improve his grid position ahead of the crucial race.

Rea said: “I’m really looking forward to Magny-Cours. I think we’ll be strong from the start.

“We’ll work, as ever, on putting a good set-up together and hopefully be right up there on Sunday. I’m happy chasing the championship and I really want the last round in Portugal to be exciting, so I need a good result in Magny-Cours to make that happen.”

The championship is arguably Aussie Pitt’s to lose and Rea’s current position as the underdog could work in his favour.

It would be an incredible achievement for Rea if he could clinch the world title at his first attempt.

He has already penned a contract to move into the World Superbike Championship next season with the Ten Kate Honda Team, when he will renew his partnership from the British Superbike Championship with Ryuichi Kiyonari.

“Moving to this team has been the best decision of my career,” Rea added.

“Everyone around me has been fantastic all season and the bike is a winner, straight from the crate. I feel really at home and part of the championship now.

“I want to be World Superbike champion and I don’t think any other team will give me a better chance.”

Meanwhile, Leon Haslam has joined the exodus from BSB following an announcement that the 25-year-old will ride in the World Superbike Championship next season for the Stiggy Motorsport Honda Team.

Shane Byrne, already crowned 2008 BSB champion, will ride in WSBK next year for Sterilgarda Ducati, with Tom Sykes moving to the same series with the official Yamaha World Superbike Team.

Another top BSB rider, Cal Crutchlow, will make the switch to the World Supersport series in 2009 after signing for Yamaha.