Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Edwards goes to pole as Bayliss goes to the medical center

Colin Edwards took provisional pole in the last qualifying session before Superpole at Brands Hatch. But his time was set in the absence of his rival and the World Superbike championship points leader Troy Bayliss, who had to sit out the session after an earlier crash.

Very early on in the qualifying session Troy Bayliss tangled with his teammate Ruben Xaus, who had just exited the pit lane. The accident happened just as the two riders reached the braking point at Druids, sending Bayliss into the unprotected crash barrier in a place that riders wouldn’t normally be expected to crash.

Bayliss is undergoing tests for injuries to his upper back and is also suffering from pain in a kidney. The medical staff will issue a statement at 3:00 p.m. (UK time) on whether or not he is fit to ride in Superpole. His condition will again be reviewed on Sunday morning prior to the day’s racing.

Edwards didn’t have an easy time in qualifying, even without Troy Bayliss to cope with. Neil Hodgson was making the most of riding in his home country in front of an already considerable crowd. He occupied the top spot several times towards the end of the session, trading places with Edwards. But it was the Texan who claimed the provisional pole with a circuit best lap of 1:25.931 set just as the clock ticked the final seconds down.

Pierfrancesco Chili put his privateer Ducati into third spot, just ahead of Ruben Xaus. Wild card rider Shane Byrne was just squeezed out of the front row by Xaus to take fifth in front of another wild card entrant, Michael Rutter. Both wild cards ride Ducati. Nori Haga rescued his day on his final lap of the session, he had been languishing way down the timesheet but hauled himself onto the provisional second row. Ben Bostrom took the final second-row place.

Superpole is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.


Saturday’s World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda, 1:25.931
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:25.944
3. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati, 1:26.066
4. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 1:26.286
5. Shane Byrne, Ducati, 1:26.296
6. Michael Rutter, Ducati, 1:26.376
7. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:26.398
8. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:26.415
9. Ben Bostrom, Ducati, 1:26.464
10. Glen Richards, Kawasaki, 1:26.994
11. Juan Borja, Ducati, 1:27.011
12. Dean Ellison, Ducati, 1:27.035
13. Chris Walker, Kawasaki, 1:27.139
14. James Toseland, Ducati, 1:27.233
15. Steve Martin, Ducati, 1:27.456
16. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, 1:27.510
17. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, 1:27.575
18. Marco Borciani, Ducati, 1:27.919
19. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki, 1:27.967
20. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati, 1:27.987
21. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Kawasaki, 1:28.031
22. Mark Heckles, Honda, 1:28.726
23. Peter Goddard, Benelli, 1:28.928
24. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki, 1:29.286
25. Bertrand Stey, Honda, 1:30.025
26. Broc Parkes, Ducati, 1:30.111
DNQ. Yann Gyger, Honda, 1:32.779