From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

CONFORTI ON POLE FOR GSX-R CUP.

GSX-R Cup Final Press Office. Magny Cours, France. October 18th 2003

Italy’s Luca Conforti lived up to the No 1 plate on his GSX-R750 by storming to pole position on the grid for tomorrow’s two GSX-R Cup races in the last few seconds of today’s final qualification session.

The 28 year old from Roncadella in Italy snatched the top spot from yesterday’s provisional pole man Herbert Kaufman, who had looked certain to maintain his position as the session came to a close in fading light conditions. But Conforti crossed the line with his winning 1:49.382 lap just as the chequered flag came out, and Spain’s Oriol Fernandez followed a few seconds later with a 1:49.461 time, to push Kaufman down to third.

Switzerland’s Thomas Flueckiger completed the front row of the grid with fifth and sixth placed Thomas Metro from France and Britain’s Steve Brogan the only other riders to stay under the 1:50.00 mark.

A total of 28 Suzuki GSX-R riders from 15 countries around the world qualified for tomorrow’s GSX-R Cup Final by competing in qualifying races in their home countries for a place on the start line of this unique event. The riders drew lots for their identically prepared GSX-R750 machines which are basically stock specification with Yoshimura exhaust and brake components, Michelin Pilot tires, Motul Oils, Sunstar Sprockets, NGK race plugs and RK race chain.

The two GSX-R Cup final races are part of the program for the final round of the World Superbike Series here at Magny Cours.

For the latest 2003 Suzuki Worldwide GSX-R Cup final news visit: www.suzuki-racing.com/gsx-r


GSX-R CUP – FINAL QUALIFYING

1. Conforti. Italy. 1:49.382
2. Fernandez. Spain. 1:49.461
3. Kaufmann. Germany. 1:49.729
4. Flueckiger. Switzerland. 1:49.743
5. Metro. France. 1:49.845
6. Brogan. UK. 1:49.968
7. Di Fogia. France. 1:50.320
8. Nebel. Germany. 1:50.495
9. Kennaugh. South Africa. 1:50.597
10. CHRIS “OPIE” CAYLOR. USA. 1:50.930
11. Bugden. Australia. 1:51.095
12. TRAY BATEY. USA. 1:51.130
13. Mancuso. Italy. 1:51.304
14. Teramoto. Japan. 1:51.349
15. Melone. Italy. 1:51.825
16. Vleugels. Belgium. 1:51.837
17. Tamitsuji. Japan. 1:51.875
18. COREY EATON. USA. 1:51.904
19. Nelson. Canada. 1:52.529
20. Kispataki. Hungary. 1:52.786
21. Kaltenbacher. Austria. 1:52.941
22. Peh. Germany. 1:53.009
23. Mossey. UK. 1:53.076
24. Butler. Australia. 1:53.934
25. Everest. UK. 1:55.162
26. Stavroulakis. Greece. 1:55.245
27. Neilsen. Canada. 1:56.536
28. Mercer. France. 1:57.649