Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 2:09.258
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 2:09.608
3. Sebastian Porto, 2:09.928
4. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:10.067
5. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 2:10.471
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 2:10.560
7. Randy de Puniet, Aprilia, 2:10.688
8. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 2:10.695
9. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 2:10.822
10. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, 2:11.095


From a press release issued by MS APrilia:

Second time, first provisional row for Marco Melandri in the first day of qualifying sessions at Sepang.

The rain that briefly dampened the MotoGP sessions came down hard at the start of the 250 qualifying. Much of the session thus took place on a wet track with humidity sky high. Marco Melandri opened up fully only at the very end of the session and, moments before the flag came down he made a terrific lap, which moved him up from 11th to 2nd provisional place. Three Aprilias on the front row: Elias (Aprilia) takes pole, followed by Marco Melandri, Porto (Yamaha) and Nieto (Aprilia).

# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 2nd – 2’09.608

“A tough session, with a wet track almost to the very end. The track was dry enough and in a good state for the fast lap only in the last five minutes. Perhaps I waited a bit too long before switching over to dry tyres. I’m very pleased with the way the bike’s going and we’re just about ready for the race. We’ll make a few tweaks to the geometry of my Aprilia and to the suspension, and then we’ll test the tyres. The few laps in the dry didn’t give us all the references we needed to make a definitive choice and we’ll do all the duration testing we need tomorrow. On Sunday, I’ll be racing for the championship. I’m calm, all the team’s calm and I don’t feel I’m under pressure. I’m just going to make sure I don’t run any risks and try to make a dream come true.”