Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Chili goes pole at home

Frankie Chili blitzed to provisional pole with a last minute dash at Monza in final qualifying ahead of Superpole.

To the delight of the partisan Italian crowd, local hero Chili shaved 0.251 secs off Neil Hodgson’s best time to snatch the provisional pole away from the factory rider.

The session was interrupted in the early stages when Ivan Clementi crashed his Kawasaki on the first lap going into the Ascari chicane. The Kawasaki slid back onto the track dragging up a big cloud of dust. Blinded by the dust, Juan Borja and Ruben Xaus ploughed into the stricken bike. Xaus was knocked out and won’t ride again today although it is hoped he will pass a medical to race on Sunday.

Provisional pole sitter on Friday James Toseland was unable to improve on his time and slipped down to third in front of Regis Laconi, ensuring a 100% Ducati provisional front row. Gregorio Lavilla failed to improve on his Friday time as he struggled with set up and gearing, finishing just behind Xaus in sixth. Xaus didn’t complete a lap so his time comes from Friday.


World Superbike Championship
Round Four, Monza, Italy
16-17-18 May, 2003
Saturday Qualifying, best lap times:

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:47.247
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:47.498
3. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:47.713
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:47.736
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:48.101
6. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:48.371
7. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:48.557
8. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:48.624
9. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:48.691
10. Paolo Blora, Ducati 996RS, 1:49.534
11. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:49.536
12. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:49.554
13. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.813
14. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:49.978
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.217
16. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:50.320
17. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.579
18. Serafino Foti, Ducati 998RS, 1:50.990
19. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:51.039
20. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:51.399