Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final 250cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:35.300
2. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:35.379
3. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:35.596
4. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:35.843
5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:36.251
6. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:36.447
7. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 1:36.611
8. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, 1:36.690
9. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:36.764
10. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:36.819
11. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 1:36.884
12. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, 1:37.088
13. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:37.172
14. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:37.373
15. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:37.382


More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:

250 2nd Qualifying session; De Angelis growing fast

Alex de Angelis will start his first world 250 championship race in South Africa from the second row of the grid.

The San Marino rider qualified his RSW250 in fifth position with a best time of 1.36.251, which matched last year’s pole position time to show he will be a big threat in tomorrow’s opening race at the Phakisa Freeway.

“I am very happy because Alex did the same time as last year’s pole position, “said his crew chief Gianni Sandi. “You have to remember that Alex was racing in 125s last season so to do so well in his first 250 qualifying is not a bad effort. He did a great job today.”

Despite not entirely ironing out some of the front suspension problems that hampered him during yesterday’s opening qualifying session, de Angelis was delighted to be so close to the front row at his first attempt.

“The bike is a lot better from yesterday. The problem with the front suspension is almost resolved and I’m very happy with the engine. It is very fast and I’m very satisfied with the way things have gone. I hope to continue in the same way tomorrow for the race.”


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

250 2nd Qualifying session; Poggiali in first row

Reigning champion Manuel Poggiali will kick off the defence of his world 250 title from the front row of the grid in tomorrow’s South African GP.

The San Marino rider ended this afternoon’s final 45-minute qualifying session in third place, despite a minor technical problem with his number one Aprilia RSW250 at the halfway stage.

Havingm opted for a cautious approach yesterday, Poggiali dramatically upped his pace and ended up with a best time of 1.35.596. That left the MS Aprilia Racing rider just 0.2s off claiming pole position.

Although he used most of today to fine-tune his race set-up, Poggiali did use a Dunlop qualifying tyre in the final laps to consolidate his position on the front row of the grid.

“I had a problem with my number one bike so I had to change to the spare machine. But it did not have a very good set-up because I have not used the second bike at all during the weekend. I have faith for the race because we have worked well for the last two days.”