Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Xaus snatches provisional pole

Ruben Xaus is out to make a point: Without a ride for 2003 so far, the young Spaniard is keen to both impress any future suitor and at the same time to let Ducati officials know what they will be missing if they let him go.

Unfortunately Xaus also proved another point in the session: He really does have a crashing problem! Xaus binned his Ducati with just a few moments of the session left, after he had set the provisional pole time.

Colin Edwards didn’t go any faster today than yesterday, and slipped back to provisional second. But the Texan was more interested in sorting out a race set-up for Sunday than qualifying, and he still has Superpole to come, leaving him ample opportunity to grab that Superpole winner’s Breil watch.

Troy Bayliss was third-fastest overall, having gone second-fastest in that session. Neil Hodgson, who missed half the session, still managed to hold onto the last provisional front-row spot, prior to Superpole. Noriyuki Haga, who was fourth-fastest in the session, ended in provisional fifth overall. He’s joined on the provisional second row by Frankie Chili, James Toseland and Ben Bostrom.

So far the weather, which has been threatening rain, looks like it may hold for the rest of the day, leaving Superpole to run in single-flying-lap dry format.

World Superbike Combined Qualifying Times:

1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 2:01.861
2. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 2:01.966
3. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 2:02.018
4. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 2:02.402
5. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 2:02.604
6. Pier-Francesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 2:02.677
7. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 2:03.212
8. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 2:03.414
9. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.134
10. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.175
11. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:04.356
12. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.416
13. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.616
14. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:05.110
15. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:05.157
16. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:05.877
17. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:05.882
18. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:05.996
19. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 2:06.506
20. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 2:06.516
21. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 2:06.952
22. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, 2:07.678
23. Jeronimo Vidal, Honda RC51, 2:08.042
24. Thierry Mulot, Ducati 996SPS, 2:08.414
DNQ. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, 2:10.725
DNQ. Yann Gyger, Honda RC51, 2:11.256
DNQ. Henri Minnen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:12.550