Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Times:

1. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:53.078
2. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:53.667
3. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:53.756
4. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:53.948
5. Yuki Takahashi, Honda, 1:54.119
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:54.368
7. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:54.601
8. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:54.721
9. Ryuji Yokoe, Yamaha, 1:54.723
10. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:54.745
11. Tekkyu Kayoh, Yamaha, 1:54.853
12. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:54.860
13. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:54.904
14. Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Yamaha, 1:54.970
15. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:55.002


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Provisional pole for Marco “Macio” Melandri. Four Aprilia 250s on front row of the grid.

The last few minutes of today’s session at Motegi looked more like a Sunday race than qualifying. The fastest foursome put on a spectacular show, with Macio coming out on top. A very special day for the great Ravenna-born rider: first in the free practice in the morning, and then provisional pole in the afternoon. Marco says he is all ready for the race and adds that, after two tactical races in the wet, he would not mind winning again. He thinks Sunday could be the right opportunity to enjoy the taste of victory. An all-Aprilia provisional front row in the Land of the Rising Sun is indeed a special pleasure.

# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 1st 1:53.078

“I quite like the track, the grip’s good, there aren’t any potholes and you can make some great exits. Today was like being a race – at any rate, it seemed very like a dress rehearsal for Sunday. The bike’s perfect now: we’ve worked a lot and I feel we’re already prepared for the race. This track needs fairly soft tyres, although of course we’ll try out something different tomorrow and we’ll do a few simulations to test the tyres over a long distance. But, as I said, we’re ready. I’m feeling the need for a victory: after two cautious races I’d like be up at the top of the podium again. We’ll see if that’s possible here in Japan the day after tomorrow.”