Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Dennis Noyes

He’s been the fastest man on the World Superbike trail over the last eight starts and showed the Spanish flag proudly at Laguna Seca, but he has no contract for 2004. Rubén Xaus is not as tall as many say…he’s just a centimeter over 6 feet tall, but he looks 6’2″ on the little Ducati 999 F03. Appearances deceive, but lap times don’t and Xaus was blindingly fast in today’s qualifying session in the Assen rain. His wet time of 2:13.222 won’t improve his fifth place in qualifying carried over from yesterday’s dry practice, but it did make it clear that the Spaniard who resides in Andorra is on form at his second-favorite track.

His favorite is Laguna Seca where he should have won them both, but crashed out of the lead in the first race. (He explained that by saying, “I was running a rock-hard tire up front that only works when it is pushing and when my lead got big I made the mistake of slowing too much and the tire cooled too much.”)

Ruben has no contract for next year and was considered “fired” at mid-season before his big double at Misano. Now Ducati officials are preparing an offer but don’t know what to do with Rubén.

He has cost them a lot in bent metal and broken fiber over the last years, but they also know that he was perfectly capable of beating Troy Bayliss a couple of times toward the end of last season (especially here at Assen where he turned the same lap times as Valentino Rossi on the RC211V) but was restrained by logical team orders. Bayliss was battling Colin Edwards for the crown but Ruben was well back in points. If they lose him he might come back to haunt them.

Many people mistakenly think that Spanish riders have an inside line for MotoGP rides, but that is only partly true. With three Spanish riders already slotted into MotoGP teams (Gibernau, Checa and De Gea), the Championship rights holders are using their not insignificant influence to attract British and German riders as first priority.

Neil Hodgson seems headed for the D’Antin MotoGP team which will become the second Ducati team next year. Luis D’Antin says he does want a Spanish rider, but one bringing significant sponsorship, and that means he is looking first to Fonsi Gonzalez Nieto and his Repsol millions.

If Fonsi stays in 250cc or goes to the Gresini team as Gibernau’s team mate (a remote possibility), Xaus might get the call, but on the other hand Ducati may want the Spaniard to defend their colors in World Superbike again next year…or they might send him with a works 999 and full Michelin support, to the AMA Championship.

“I am having fun now that I have the bike working well, so I really don’t want to think too much about next year,” said Xaus just two hours before Superpole, “but sure I have to think. I have now nothing for next year. I want to race in the World Championship, either Superbike or MotoGP, but if Ducati want to make a big effort in the USA then maybe that is what I do. For sure I like America, the people, the big trucks (Xaus drives a big Dodge Ram V8 at great speeds around Spain), but it is always hard to adjust to living aboard…I know it was sometimes hard for Ben Bostrom to adjust to Europe last year. Right now I just try and do a good job in Superpole…never in my life have I been fastest in Superpole. I hate Superpole. Maybe I go to America just to get away from Superpole.”

If it stays wet Rubén might, just might, take the first Superpole of his career. At present the Supersport 600s have just finished their final qualifying on a wet track, led by Karl Muggeride in 2:09.956 (compared to yesterday’s pole of 2:05.738 by Chris Vermuelen with Muggeridge second.

So as the Superbikes rattle the glass in the Media Center as they warm up now for their one hour free practice prior to the Superpole, yesterday’s grids are virtually unchanged except for some minor shifting of positions on the final rows of Supersport.

The Metrosat images show drying conditions and scattered showers. Race Direction will later decide whether to run a dry (normal) or wet Superpole. If the conditions are determined to be wet, the 16 fastest riders will be allowed 50 minutes to record 12 laps to determine final grid positions.

From a press release:

FIVE-STAR WEBSTER STORMS TO ASSEN WIN

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead clinched their fifth victory of the 2003 campaign to extend their lead in the Superside World championship in the seventh round at Assen in Holland.

Jörg Steinhausen and Trevor Hopkinson took the holeshot yet again and the on-form German-British pairing held on to the lead for five laps before being overtaken by Webster.

“I got my usual bad start and it was a lot of hard work. There are still three races to go and we must keep pushing very hard,” said Webster, who now extends his championship lead to 15 points.

Steinhausen continued his consistent series with a fourth consecutive podium finish. “I tried to push as hard as possible but unfortunately was not fast enough. I struggled with some of the backmarkers,” said the 32-year-old German.

Third place went to Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer who were involved in a terrific scrap with reigning world champions, Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs. The Austrian pairing prevailed with a stunning pass on the very last lap to deny the British duo a podium.

Klaffenböck said: “It was not a good race and we had a gear lever problem. It was a hard last lap and we had a bit of luck. But we have another chance tomorrow.”

Superside World championship race result (13 laps-78.35km/48.97miles):
1 Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 28:19.356
2 Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) -6.865 seconds
3 Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) -19.506
4 Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) -19.612
5 Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) -57.694
6 Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) -62.167
7 Jock Skene, GB (Suzuki) -67.477
8 Richard Gatt, GB (Yamaha) -77.087
9. Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) -79.654
10 Tim Reeves, GB (Yamaha) -104.747

Championship points after seven of 10 rounds:
1 Webster 141
2 Klaffenböck 126
3 Steinhausen 101
4 Abbott 75
5 Hanks 68
6 Van Gils 64
7 Roscher 62
8 Philp 52
9 Hauzenberger 37
10 Gatt 36

Next round: Assen, Holland – September 7

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:02.603
2. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 2:02.736
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 2’02.834
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 2:03.112
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 2:03.137
6. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:03.370
7. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 2:03.539
8. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 2:03.553
9. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.077
10. James Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:04.547
11. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.608
12. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.611
13. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:04.865
14. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.930
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 2:05.220
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:05.362
17. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:05.634
18. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 2:06.299
19. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:06.677
20. Stefan Nebel, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:07.406

22. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:08.030

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional Qualifying
Estorial, Portugal

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:39.391
2. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:39.680
3. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:39.691
4. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:39.730
5. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:39.736
6. Carlso Checa, Yamaha, 1:39.905
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:40.144
8. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:40.325
9. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:40.509
10. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:40.547
11. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:40.614
12. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:40.654
13. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:40.778
14. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:40.780
15. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:40.836
16. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:41.234
17. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:41.554
18. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:41.625
19. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:41.991
20. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:42.399
21. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:42.443
22. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:42.697
23. David DeGea, Harris WCM, 1:42.919
24. Chris Burns, Harris WCM, 1:45.066



Provisional Qualifying
250cc Grand Prix
1. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:42.255
2. Randy de Puniet, Aprilia, 1:42.736
3. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:42.782
4. Roberto Rolfo, Aprilia, 1:42.927
5. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:43.009
6. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:43.539
7. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:43.630
8. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:43.816
9. Naoki Matsudo, Yamha, 1:43.995
10. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:44.096
11. Eric Bataille, Honda, 1:44.625
12. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:44.729
13. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 1:44.924
14. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 1:45.066
15. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:45.171


Provisional Qualifying
125cc Grand Prix
1. Alex de Angelis, Aprilia, 1:47.081
2. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:47.136
3. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 1:47.177
4. Simone Corsi, Honda, 1:47.273
5. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:47.303
6. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:47.556
7. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 1:47.565
8. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 1:47.582
9. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:47.644
10. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:47.648
11. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 1:47.682
12. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 1:47.775
13. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:47.805
14. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, 1:48.052
15. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:48.067


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM MEN COMPLETE CLOSE ESTORIL SESSION

Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Carlos Checa put in a determined and consistently solid effort at the Estoril circuit during today’s opening qualifying session of the Portuguese Grand Prix. Checa kicked off proceedings with quick lap times in this morning’s free practice, setting the third fastest time overall. The Spaniard then challenged for provisional pole in this afternoon’s opening qualifying session, despite typically gusty conditions, finally completing the session sixth fastest.

Last year Checa qualified in pole position at the Estoril venue, and finished the rain-swamped race in second place. The confidence he displayed here with his Yamaha YZR-M1 machine last year is still apparent, as with only minutes of this afternoon’s qualifying session remaining he put in a performance that placed him second fastest on the time sheets. The Fortuna Yamaha man then backed up that result with a string of fastest lap stages, which put him on course for provisional pole, before a small mistake in the final stage relegated him back to sixth place.

The last run to the session-ending flag became a six way battle between Checa, eventual provisional pole man Valentino Rossi (Honda, 1:39.391), second placed Olivier Jacque (Gauloises Yamaha Team, 1:39.680), Max Biaggi (Honda, 1:39.691), Tohru Ukawa (Honda, 1:39.730) and Sete Gibernau (Honda, 139.736). Checa’s final lap time of 1:39.905 was just 0.514 seconds off pole, and despite missing out on the provisional front row, Checa remains confident that he and the team can improve for tomorrow’s crucial final qualifying session.

“I’m quite close here to the top group, so I’m feeling pretty positive,” said a fairly upbeat Checa. “I am still having some front traction problems but I hope we can sort that out with some small set-up adjustments. We made a bit of a breakthrough, in Brno in the race and during the Michelin tyre test the day after, in terms of lap time consistency, and we’ve obviously carried that progress here with us. For sure getting pole position here along with a good race result last year gives me more confidence as well, as it’s become a circuit that I like a lot. At the end of the session I put in a good lap time with fresh tyres; then I was going for an even better when I made a small mistake. I ran a little bit wide. It was very close anyway between the top riders, just a matter of tenths of a second between us, so I’m sure we can secure a decent grid position tomorrow.”

Fellow Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Marco Melandri had a ‘first up and then down’ day in Estoril. After a strong morning practice session, during which the young Italian set the seventh fastest time aboard his YZR-M1, the 21-year-old’s afternoon didn’t proceed as planed. In order to improve the overall balance of his bike, the team opted for a new direction in geometry set-up for this afternoon’s session. This proved to be unsuccessful, as it left Melandri lacking confidence in the front-end of his machine, and as a result he was left languishing back in 15th place with a lap time of 1:40.836.

“After this morning’s practice I was hoping to improve my time quite a lot for this afternoon,” explained Melandri. “We’ve modified the front a little bit since this morning and the bike has changed quite a lot. It was not so easy to get into the corners because I felt like I was losing grip. Perhaps we have actually changed a bit too much, so this is something we will discuss before tomorrow’s practice, and hopefully rectify the problem to give me a bit more confidence. Anyway in a way I am still learning as I have not had many laps at this circuit on this bike, so I’m sure tomorrow will be easier.”

Team Director Davide Brivio said, “This is one of Carlos’ strongest tracks and it is showing in his performance so far. He is, generally, on an upwards trend at the moment in terms of confidence with the bike. We will work as hard as we can this weekend, as always, to ensure that he has a chance for a podium finish on Sunday.

“Marco has not been very sure of the bike in terms of cornering today but we must remember that because of his fall at the IRTA test here earlier this year, when he injured his shoulder, this is almost a completely new circuit for him with the M1. I’m sure that after tomorrow’s morning practice he will be more used to the bike’s handling here and ready to put in some fast laps in qualifying.”


PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW

1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Repsol HONDA 1:39.391

2. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Gauloises YAMAHA Team 1:39.680

3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Pramac Pons HONDA 1:39.691

4. Tohru Ukawa (JPN) Camel Pramac Pons HONDA 1:39.730

6. CARLOS CHECA (SPA) Fortuna YAMAHA Team 1:39.905

15. MARCO MELANDRI (ITA) Fortuna YAMAHA Team 1:40.836



More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

ROBERTS IN TOP TEN ON IMPROVED SUZUKI

Team Suzuki Press Office Friday 5th September 2003.

Team Suzuki rider Kenny Roberts Jr. was tenth in today’s first qualifying session for Sunday’s Portuguese GP, picking up places and confidence at the very technical Estoril circuit on a machine with small but helpful improvements, and enjoying a complex circuit where riding skill can make more difference than at simpler tracks.

Team-mate John Hopkins was a second slower round the 4.182km track, and placed 17th, on the provisional fifth row. But the 20-year-old Anglo-American racer was also enjoying good progress with his machine, and confident of a significant improvement in tomorrow’s final qualifying session, as he gains knowledge of the twisty circuit.

Both riders were trying a new semi-silenced exhaust system on one of their pair of machines. The Yoshimura silencers are used in Japan by the factory test riders to comply with noise regulations at the factory test track. They were not suffering the same caburation difficulties as the GP riders on the unsilenced bikes. Today’s tests were promising, offering more consistent engine responses, without significantly affecting overall performance.

High winds – a feature of the Estoril circuit close to the Atlantic Coast – prevailed all day, in dry and sunny conditions. There is one more day of qualifying before Sunday’s race.

KENNY ROBERTS Jr. – Tenth Position, 1:40.547
This track is quite technical, and the rider can make quite a bit of difference by using the right lines and approaching the track correctly. Otherwise, it’s business as usual down here. We’re not trying anything radically different than Czecho. I did a 40.9 last year, and a 40.5 today, so it’s nice to be a little bit quicker. And I got fourth here last year in the rain, so it definitely shows how much competition is out there. We’re going to work tomorrow to get the bike better and better, and see what the outcome is. I’m definitely aiming for the points.

JOHN HOPKINS – 17th Position, 1:41.554
It didn’t go too bad today. Basically, this track is not my favourite or my worst, but it is definitely challenging. There are so many things to look out for on the first day, especially after coming from Brno, which is so wide. You find yourself getting caught out on such a tight, narrow track. Basically I’m still learning the place. I’ve been here a few times, but I seem to keep learning more. It’s a big challenge. For the bike, we’ve been chipping away at set-ups, and we found a pretty big improvement this afternoon from the morning, and now we’re trying to get better again off that. We know there’s room to improve both for myself and the bike, so we’ll go better tomorrow. The silenced bike is basically a little smoother off the bottom, which is a help at a track like this.

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
We’ve already seen a small improvement for Kenny compared with last year, so we’re going in the right direction. It’s only John’s second race at this track, and as Kenny said it is very technical. Every lap John does is an appreciable learning experience. Both riders are in a positive frame of mind, and we have to keep moving forward.

FRIDAY OFFICIAL QUALIFYING TIMES ESTORIL, PORTUGAL

1. Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1:39.391

2. Oliver Jacque (Yamaha) -0.289

3. Max Biaggi (Honda) -0.300

4. Tohru Ukawa (Honda) -0.339

5. Sete Gibernau (Honda) -0.345

6. Carlos Checa (Yamaha) -0.514

7. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) -0.753

8. Jeremy McWilliams (Proton KR) -0.934

9. Nicky Hayden (Honda) -1.118

10. Kenny Roberts (Suzuki Grand Prix Team) -1.156

17. John Hopkins (Suzuki Grand Prix Team) -2.163





McWILLIAMS ON ROW TWO AFTER TWO-STROKE SWITCH

Round 11: Portuguese GP, Estoril
First Qualifying: Friday, September 5, 2003

Jeremy McWilliams: Eighth, 1:40.325
Nobuatsu Aoki: 21st, 1:42.443

Team Proton KR rider Jeremy McWilliams switched back to last year’s two-stroke machine for this afternoon’s first timed practice session, and proved the strength of the 500c two-stroke by putting it eighth, on the provisional second row of the grid, among the fastest of the 990cc MotoGP four-strokes.

McWilliams was using the same drilled fairing he used to claim pole position at Phillip Island last year – the holes a measure to alleviate the effect of crosswinds, which were a feature of today’s practice. But the Ulsterman’s two-stroke switch was only temporary, and both riders will be on the four-stroke tomorrow.

The move came after teething troubles with the latest version of the Proton KR V5 machine – all part of the development programme of the infant GP racer, which will line up for only its fifth race on Sunday. Inevitably, each step forward from first prototype to mature racer brings new problems to be solved.

The latest machine incorporates a range of improvements, including a significantly better new-generation engine braking control system as well as more horsepower. McWilliams tried these at the last round at Brno and the team tested them further in Ireland during the break, before preparing four machines to that specification for this race.

This morning, one of McWilliams’s pair of engines gave trouble in the morning free session, and the team decided to withdraw the other bike for the afternoon, to make internal modifications to prevent the problem recurring. Tomorrow the team plans to return to the four-stroke in spite of the stronger qualifying performance of the two-stroke, to concentrate on developing for the future.

Team-mate Nobuatsu Aoki stuck to the four-stroke, and the team overcame a few teething troubles during the session, with throttle problems spoiling planned progress with chassis settings. Like McWilliams, Aoki has one version of the latest chassis, and the niggling problems were a minor set-back against an overall improvement in machine feel and rider confidcnce.

Today’s first practice took place in sunny but windy conditions, the notorious coastal breezes of the Estoril circuit prevailing all day. There is one more day of qualifying remaining, to determine final grid positions for Sunday’s race.

JEREMY McWILLIAMS
This is what keeps me coming back – days when we have a bit of a downer, then pull the old two-stroke out and manage the second row. It’s difficult to know what to do tomorrow, but I will go with whatever the team wants, which will be to get some more laps on the four-stroke. That’s okay by me. The four-stroke is going better than it has ever gone, and it’s a lot easier to ride into the turns.. It’s starting to feel like a racing bike. And at least we have that old relic two-stroke to pull out if things go wrong.

NOBUATSU AOKI
I have a new chassis here that has brought me more confidence, because the balance is much nicer. I like it very much. The problem is there is only one, and I had some trouble with the engine, with a throttle butterfly sticking. That cost us time we wanted to use for chassis setting, and we are a little behind schedule. The engine power was also a little down this afternoon. I need my engine to run properly, and then I know I can get a much better time.

CHUCK AKSLAND – Team Manager
Tomorrow we will have four four-strokes again, and the plan is for Jeremy to go back to the four-stroke. The bike is better than before, and he was going quite well on it in the morning free practice before he had engine trouble. If possible, we will race the four-stroke. We’re still testing the new machine, and full race distance is an important part of that process.


More, from a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

TOUGH DAY FOR KAWASAKI RIDERS AT WARM AND WINDY ESTORIL

Fuchs Kawasaki riders Garry McCoy and Andrew Pitt endured a day of technical hiccups and sickness to qualify 18th and 20th respectively on the provisional grid for Sunday’s Portugal Grand Prix.

At a warm and sunny Estoril the trademark strong and gusty winds were out in force, but these were the least of the problems for the Ninja ZX-RR pair, who battled bravely through a tough day at the track.

For most of the today’s two track sessions McCoy was restricted to one bike while an electrical problem was cured on his other race machine. The minor glitch meant that the Australian was unable to fully evaluate the revised front geometry set-up developed by Kawasaki technicians following the recent Brno tests.

Even so, Estoril expert McCoy sliced 1.2s from his morning free practice time in afternoon qualifying, overcoming the problem of a ‘fast idle’ throttle setting to finish 18th, and only bumped from 17th place by a fraction of a second after the chequered flag had come out.

McCoy is hoping to make up for lost time with test runs on the new front end set-up in tomorrow’s one hour free practice.

Meanwhile Pitt completed qualifying in an exhausted state because of the debilitating effects of a heavy cold he has been suffering for the past three days. The Australian was put on a drip in the Clinica Mobile prior to the afternoon qualifying session to help maintain energy levels in the warm and blustery conditions.

Pitt cut a massive 1.6s off his morning free practice time as he prepares for his first race start at Estoril on Sunday.

Garry McCoy – 18th – 1:41.625
“We just ran of time today. It was difficult to get through our technical and tyre program with just one bike but the guys worked hard to get it fixed. The second bike was ready to run late in the qualifying session but it did not have the set-up changes we had already made to my first bike. I was expecting to be a little faster today but it felt like the throttle idle was set too fast and this was forcing me to run wide, especially while trying to stop and turn for the slow, tight corners here. It’s a simple thing to fix and hopefully tomorrow we can get a clear run with two bikes. The wind is not easy but I’ve seen it a lot worse here; back in 2000 when I won the race it was blowing a lot harder than this.”

Andrew Pitt – 20th – 1:42.399
“That’s hard work, especially with the cold I’ve got; it’s gradually getting better but getting hot and sweaty and then cooling down doesn’t help. I’m okay for about ten laps but then I start to feel a bit weak and an hour before that session I was on a drip in the Clinica Mobile. But otherwise I’m pretty happy with the way things are going. I’m basically running a Brno set-up, with a shorter wheelbase to get through the tight stuff, and just trying to work on getting the best out of the bike and the track without changing too much. The wind is going flat out; it’s a tail wind down the straight which makes it pretty interesting to pull the bike up for turn one.”




More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO MEN ON ROWS TWO & THREE AT WINDY ESTORIL

Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss eased into this weekend’s Marlboro Portuguese GP at Estoril today, taking provisional second- and third-row starts in treacherous windy conditions. Both men came here testing in February but the data gathered during that session isn’t of much use this weekend since the bike has come on a long way in the past seven months and the weather conditions are completely different.

“The wind makes things quite difficult for everyone,” said Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli. “You can choose the correct gearing, then the wind stops, so the gearing is no longer correct. And the wind also blows sand onto the track which makes things slippery for the riders. As far as the bike goes, we’re continuing with the new parts we used successfully at Brno last month. Loris is also using some new larger diameter Ohlins forks that make the bike more stable on the brakes and better in direction changes. Troy isn’t using them because he didn’t get much of a chance to try them during our Brno tests after the Czech GP, so he prefers to stick with what he knows.”

CAPIROSSI SEVENTH AFTER ABORTING ‘POLE’ LAP
Loris Capirossi ended day one at Estoril with seventh-best time, putting the Ducati Marlboro Team man on the provisional second row. Remarkably the Italian pulled in at the end of a lap that could have put him on pole – Capirossi had clocked the fastest intermediate times in the first three sections of the track but didn’t feel like he was going that fast, so he came into the pits! But overall the former 125 and 250 champ is delighted with progress at this complex circuit.

“We used today to verify the modifications we used at Brno, and we’re very happy with our progress,” said Capirossi who was just 0.753 seconds off provisional pole position. “We’re very close to the fastest guys and we know exactly what to do to improve for tomorrow. It’s a pity about the fast lap that I ended early – I never realised I was going that quick so I came into the pits. But we’re confident we can be fast when we need to be tomorrow and Sunday.”

BAYLISS WINS & LOSES WITH THE WIND
Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy Bayliss was 12th quickest this afternoon, just over a second off provisional pole position. The Australian, who has never raced here, expects to move closer to the front tomorrow as he hones his Desmosedici’s chassis set-up.

“It’s super bumpy here and we’re struggling with a couple of settings things, just little stuff,” commented Bayliss who had one of his bikes stop mid-session. “Things would be better if it wasn’t so windy, but the wind does seem reasonably consistent and you know where it’s really blowing hard. It hurts you on some corners but it can actually help you in other turns, like the kink onto the back straight. You’re flat out in fourth through there and the wind definitely helps you get the bike turned.”



More, from a press release issued by Harris WCM:

PORTUGESE GP- ESTORIL
HARRIS – WCM

David de Gea – 23rd ­ 1:42.919
“I am happy with the new 4 stroke and I like very much this track. The team and I are happy with today’s qualifying and I improved on my time from practice this morning. The power with the 4 stroke is good; we just have to work on a few issues with the front braking, but other then that everything seems to be working nicely with the bike.

Chris Burns ­ 24th ­ 1:45.066
“I’ve not had a great start to the weekend. This morning I missed 20 minutes of practice due to some electronic problems and in the afternoon qualifying session, there were problems with the throttle and I had no option but to run it through the gravel and jump off. I only did 9 laps in this afternoon’s session. It’s such a shame, I have not been to this track before and I need as much time as I can to learn the track, this has really set us back a bit.”

Peter Clifford ­ Team Manager

“A classic day of ups and downs. Very sorry that a technical problem caused Chris’s fall this afternoon, marring an otherwise fantastic day for our new engine’s debut.

“I certainly didn’t believe that everything could go so well on what should really should be a test outing. The fact that bike ran and ran so well is a real tribute to the whole host of people who have been involved in making this happen.

“Chris’s accident was nothing to do with the new engine and I am sure both riders will have a chance to put in decent qualifying times tomorrow afternoon.”


More, from a press release issued by Pramac Honda:

THIRTEENTH, MAKOTO TAMADA DEBUTS AT ESTORIL ON FOURTH PROVISIONAL ROW.

Makoto Tamada sees yet another circuit for the first time. Twelfth in the free practice in the morning, and 13th quickest in the first round of qualifying sessions. This was the first time Tamada had tackled the Portuguese track, and he did so with the basic set-up he used in the previous race (Brno, Czech Republic), gradually asking for the first modifications to the settings on his RC211V so that he could improve his lap times. By using a set-up he already knows, he was able to concentrate immediately on the best tyres in order to get a good grip on the 4,182-metre track.

This is a circuit that should not be too difficult to interpret from the point of view of choice of tyres since there are no particularly long curves where the bike leans down for long. Everything will be done to give Makoto a bike that brakes efficiently and thus gives the Japanese rider the feeling he needs in order to be aggressive during the race.

MAKOTO TAMADA (PRAMAC HONDA TEAM): 13TH – 1:40.778
“Not a bad track, and one where I think I should be able to do well, even though once again I’m starting from scratch: I’d never seen it before. There are some pretty strong gusts of wind here at Estoril, but it’s not too much of a problem. We’ve really got to work to get the most endurance out of the tyres: today I felt I was losing grip when the tyres started wearing down. As a result, we’ve been working to find settings that’ll give us consistent performance, and we’ve already made some good progress. We’ll see what happens tomorrow: we’ll be working on further developments.”


More, from a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing Information:

OPTIMISTIC THINKING

Estoril – At the end of the first qualifying session of the Portuguese GP, the RS Cube of Alice Aprilia Racing Team are involved in a big work of technical development planned by the racing department. The principal enemy is the chattering which created a big crisis during the last races. So the worked made by the technicians concerns the fork and the new chassis. The main objective is still the same: getting good results to improve the performance of the Italian four cylinders.

COLIN EDWARDS: “Compared with the first laps of this morning the situation improved a lot: in the afternoon the chattering problem was smaller so I rode as I like. The good result came from the tyres and the good work made by the Michelin technicians including the new chassis. I feel we found the right way to become more competitive in the final part of the season. I am confident but we still have to work hard”.

NORIYUKI HAGA: “Since this morning I tested several settings but I did not find the right one in order to solve my problems: the chattering is to irritating and I have no feeling with the bike. Moreover the wind is terrible so I do not feel satisfied today”.

GIGI DALL’IGNA (Project Leader): “We are working hard on the forks because in our opinion that’s the main element of the chassis setting to solve the chattering. We improved the situation this morning and tomorrow we have the right way to work it out. The new chassis we are using is a good solution”.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 2:03.393
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.448
3. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:04.881
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 2:04.971
5. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 2:04.983
6. Régis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 2:05.140
7. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 2:05.169
8. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 2:05.383
9. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:05.479
10. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 2:05.621
11. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:06.077
12. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:06.346
13. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:06.493
14. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:06.764
15. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:07.016
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:07.171
17. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 2:08.162
18. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 2:08.189
19. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:08.339
20. Stefan Nebel, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:09.545

22. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:11.010

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning World Supersport Practice Times:

1. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, 2:05.736
2. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 2:05.921
3. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 2:06.630
4. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:06.669
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:06.932
6. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:07.131
7. Barry Veneman, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.313
8. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.485
9. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.508
10. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.639
11. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.712
12. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.923
13. Robert Ulm, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.994
14. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:08.192
15. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.229
16. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:08.315
17. Jan Hanson, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.340
18. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:08.494
19. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:08.601
20. Dean Thomas, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.828

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

via e-mail:

I have been told by reliable sources that there will be a round of the AMA Red Bull SuperMoto Championship held in Columbus, Ohio on October 5 at Promowest Pavilion, in the downtown Columbus Arena district.

Without doubt this is one of the afformentioned rounds still in negotiation. But I’m sure you probably already knew this!

Dave Clemente
Columbus, Ohio

From a press release issued by Kawasaki:

Kawasaki to Provide Suzuki with Two Additional Units as Alliance Grows

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 5, 2003–

Suzuki Will Soon Be Announcing Their Versions of the 1600 Mean Streak(R) and Prairie(R) 700 4×4 to Their Dealers

Following the recent debut of Kawasaki’s and Suzuki’s co-developed 250cc four-stroke motocross model, the two-year-old Alliance between the brands will again be evident as Suzuki introduces two Kawasaki-produced models.

Suzuki retailers will be given the opportunity to have their branded versions of both the Kawasaki Vulcan(R) 1600 Mean Streak(R) motorcycle and Kawasaki’s Prairie(R) 700 4×4 all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

“This further exemplifies the intent of the two companies when they entered into the Alliance,” said Kawasaki’s Tom Orbe, vice president, marketing.

“It is another step in the maturation of the agreement that has proven to be so successful for both brands’ dealers, as well as for the consumer,” continued Orbe.

Suzuki will receive the Kawasaki products that are each second-generation efforts of highly successful models — both in terms of sales floor performance and meeting customer expectations.

Kawasaki helped to create the “muscle cruiser” segment of the motorcycle market with the original 1500 Mean Streak, winning accolades from journalists for its street fighter image, powerful engine and sportbike handling.

In the important ATV market, Kawasaki’s Prairie 700 4×4 ATV is an enhanced version of the industry-leading Prairie 650 4×4, which was the first ATV to be powered by a V-twin engine and set new standards of power, handling and performance for the four-wheel drive utility segment. The new Prairie 700 4×4 features even more engine displacement and refinements, and editors are proclaiming it to have further raised the bar.

The Suzuki branded model of the Kawasaki 1600 Mean Streak will be produced at the Kawasaki plant in Akashi, Japan. The Suzuki model of the Prairie 700 4×4 will be built by Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing (KMM) in Lincoln, Neb., making it the first alliance product manufactured in the United States.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, JET SKI(R) watercraft, MULE(TM) utility vehicles, power products and small engines. Kawasaki’s tagline, Let the good times roll(TM), is recognized worldwide for the spirit of fun, adventure and high performance that characterizes the Kawasaki recreational vehicle lines. Kawasaki product lines are sold through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers. The company and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with approximately 400 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SEASON-ENDING AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT TO BE TELECAST THIS WEEKEND

ESPN2 to Broadcast Final 250 Round Sunday at 1 p.m. EST

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 5, 2003) — Round 11 of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship (250 class) will air on ESPN2 Sunday, Sept. 7. The 125 race will air one week later Sunday, Sept. 14. Additionally, each race will be re-aired.

The event from Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa., was supposed to be the penultimate round in the series. Unfortunately, the final round was cancelled due to excessive rains and flooding at the facility set to host the last event, Kenworthy’s Motocross Park in Troy, Ohio. As the Troy event had already been postponed once for the same reasons, extending the season even longer was impossible.

Both the 125 and 250 championships were decided at Steel City.

Original and repeat airtimes are as follows (All times EST. Check local listings):

9/7/03, Sunday, 1 p.m.: 250 class original broadcast

9/14/03, Sunday, 1 p.m.: 125 class original broadcast

9/18/03, Thursday, 5 p.m.: 250 class re-air

9/19/03, Friday, 5 p.m.: 125 class re-air

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Lavilla Takes Provisional Pole at Assen

A crash by wild card Austrian Karl Truchsess (Yamaha YZR-R1) in the final minutes of the first Superbike qualifying practice caused a red flag with just over three minutes left in the hour. This created a mad-dash last lap when qualifying was resumed, and produced a quickest lap of 2:02.603 by Spain’s Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Corona Suzuki GSX-R1000) with Chris Walker (HM Plant Ducati), Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) and Pier Francesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) completing the Friday provisional front row.

“The times were so slow this morning that I wondered if it was the track,” said Lavilla, “but then I made some suspension changes and put in a section time that was 0.6 of a second quicker. The lap time was poor because I was balked, but I knew which way to go. The quick lap on qualifying tires was good, but I am happier about the good feeling from the bike when the track temperature got up to 24 degrees. If it stays dry I think we can improve.”

Fifth was Ruben Xaus (Fila Ducati) with Ivan Clementi on the Bertocchi Kawasaki ZX-7RR a surprising sixth in front of Regis Laconi (NCR Ducati) and James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati.)

Toseland sat out the final last-minute sprint.

In Supersport qualifying Championship leader Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge were first and second on their Ten Kate Hondas clocking times of 2:05.736 and 2:05.921, with Stephane Charpentier third on his Flaffi Honda. Then came the three men who still have an outside of taking the title from Vermuelen (who leads by 37 points): Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Belgrada Yamaha) and the two Alstare Coronas Suzukis of Katsuaki Fujiwara and Stephane Chambon.

Both Vermuelen and Muggeridge were under the lap record of 2:06.077 set last year by Vermuelen.

Forecast for tomorrow is dry and sunny but there is a threat of rain for Sunday.



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

HODGSON AND XAUS (DUCATI FILA) THIRD AND FIFTH IN ASSEN FRIDAY QUALIFYING

Assen (Netherlands), Friday 5 September: Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) started off this weekend’s crucial Dutch round of the World Superbike championship in fine style with provisional third place in Friday qualifying at the Assen TT Circuit.

The 29-year-old British rider, who needs just 10 points to clinch this year’s title, was quickest throughout the morning’s free practice session on his Ducati 999 F03 and topped the timesheets on race tyres until three minutes from the end of first qualifying, which was interrupted when a slower rider crashed. With all riders then on qualifying tyres, Neil was edged out of the top two places by Lavilla and Walker.

“Everything felt good, it was great to be back on the bike after such a long break” declared Neil. “The bike feels hard round here because it’s a physical track, but luckily I’ve done a lot of training recently. My 999 is quite smooth through the corners but there is certainly a bit more to come. It probably won’t improve the lap times much, because the bike just feels harder to move around than last year. I didn’t really ride too well in the last couple of minutes because I had spent most of the time on race tyres. The plan tomorrow is to try more tyres and do race distance as always. Obviously I’ve had a lot on my mind recently but now it feels fantastic to be back on the bike again, and I know I’ve got a job to do this weekend”.

Team-mate Ruben Xaus said he felt a little rusty after the five-week break but was convinced that there was more to come on the second Fila Ducati 999.

“It wasn’t easy because I felt a bit rusty after the holidays and not riding the bike” said Ruben. “It’s more a question of set-up and reaction to fast corners, because I spent the summer riding supermoto bikes and it’s not easy to get back into the swing, with the Assen corners coming at you one after another. I find the rear a bit stiff and not reacting, but I’m sure we can solve that problem and then we can be good. If we can find a tenth everywhere I know we can be up at the front because last year I did 2:01 easily. It’ll come tomorrow, I feel sure”.

TIMES: 1. Lavilla (Suzuki) 2:02.603; 2. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 2:02.736; 3. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 2:02.834; 4. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) 2:03.112; 5. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 2:03.137; 6. Clementi (Kawasaki) 2:03.370; 7. Laconi (NCR Ducati) 2:03.539; 8. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 2:03.553


More, from a press release issued by FGSport:

RED FLAG CHANGES QUALIFYING FORTUNES

A high speed crash for Austrian privateer Karl Truchsess, in the final minutes of the first one hour qualifying session at Assen, caused the red flag to be brought out with just three minutes remaining – just enough time for the field to fit qualifying rubber and go for one final flying lap.

Almost all of the top contenders took advantage of this situation, with many riding in groups to help their lap times, thanks to the use of slipstreaming improving their combined top speeds.

The biggest benefactor from this unexpected turn of events proved to be Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000), who took provisional pole with a time of 2:02:603. With a good set-up already Lavilla has firmly installed himself into the position of one of the pre-race favourites.

A major re-shuffle of the order before the red flag incident saw Chris Walker jump up to second place on his HM Plant Ducati, with the Englishman the first of many Ducati runners.

Neil Hodgson (Fila Ducati 999 F03) lost out in the last minute blast around the 6.027km Assen track, after he was demoted from fastest to third fastest overall – all at a meeting he is expecting to leave with the status of World Champion.

One rider who has already beaten Hodgson in a race situation this season is Pierfrancesco Chili and he took his PSG-1 Ducati 998 RS to fourth place, the final position on the provisional front row. Hodgson’s team-mate Ruben Xaus, the only man with a mathematical chance of preventing Hodgson’s victory celebrations, was fifth fastest.

A surprise package, Ivan Clementi (Kawasaki Bertocchi ZX-7RR) took his four-cylinder 750ccc machine to an excellent sixth, running among the fast group on the last lap.

Sixth fastest man was Regis Laconi (Caracchi NCR Nortel Ducati 998RS) ahead of deposed second fastest qualifier James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati 998 F02) who did not manage to set a lap in the last portion of the session.

All the top eight riders finished within one second of provisional pole and the first man over that margin was young Brit wild card Leon Haslam, son of British star Ron. Another British Superbike regular John Reynolds (Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000) rode to tenth, despite suffering a crash. Twenty-nine of the 32 entrants are currently in a qualifying position. Truchsess, who suffered severe contusions on his back, continues to undergo medical checks but his conditions is not described as serious. Another faller, Vittorio Iannuzzo (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000) was sent for a scan after suffering a concussion.

In the World Supersport Championship, the runaway leader Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) set a new track best Supersport time with his 2:05.736, enough to easily secure the provisional pole position. One day remains for the Supersport pack to set their best times in qualifying but already Vermeulen and his Ten Kate team-mate and Aussie countryman Karl Muggeridge have set an immaculate pace out front.

Next closest challenger at the fast Assen circuit is Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) with a best time of 2:06 630 – almost a second shy of Vermeulen. Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Belgarda R6), put one non-Honda on the overnight front row.

Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600) went fifth fastest, closely followed by his team-mate Stephane Chambon. Local man Barry Veneman (Esha Kobutex Honda TKR) ripped his way to seventh with former Dutch Championship contender and multiple WSS race winner Iain Macpherson in eighth.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

GREGORIO LEADS THE FIELD!

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla ended the first day of qualifying on top of the world! His time of 2:02.603 was over a tenth of a second quicker then his nearest rival and good enough to put him on provisional pole position. Second fastest today was Briton Chris Walker (Ducati), with fellow countryman Neil Hodgson (Ducati), third. Italian Frankie Chili – also Ducati mounted -completes the provisional front row of the grid.

Gregorio’s team mate Vittorio Iannuzzo suffered two heavy falls and was taken to hospital for a precautionary check up. No bones appeared to have been broken, but Iannuzzo gave his head a bit of a bang in the second crash, so it was decided to go to hospital to make sure everything was OK. He only finished five laps in the afternoon timed session before his crash so ended the day nineteenth on the leaderboard.

GREGORIO LAVILLA – 1st, 2:02.603
Today was a good start and I’m very happy to be the fastest rider out there. Everything went very well today and although I was on the limit on my fast lap, it wasn’t anything crazy. I had a good tyre and I made a good lap. I’m happy for myself and also for my team, especially as it’s been a long time since the last race – it shows that I haven’t forgotten how to ride a bike! We have a few ideas to try out tomorrow – nothing major – just to see if we can make my job a bit easier. We knew Assen would probably suit my Alstare Suzuki and so far it’s gone well. Now let’s see what tomorrow (and Superpole) brings.

Friday qualifying
1 GREGORIO LAVILLA (E-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) 2;02.603, 2 Walker (GB-Ducati) 2:02.736, 3 Hodgson (GB-Ducati) 2:02.834, 4 Chili (I-Ducati) 2:03.112, 5 Xaus (E-Ducati) 2:03.137, 6 Clementi (I-Kawasaki) 2:03.370, 19 VITTORIO IANNUZZO (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:06.677


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TROY HAPPY

Troy spent the day learning the revised Assen circuit and was happy to get into the 2:04s at the end of the first day of qualifying. Despite only setting the day’s thirteenth quickest time, Troy and his Petronas FP1 team were satisfied with their work today and are looking forward to improving tomorrow. Troy is pleased with the new engine modifications and will be pushing a lot harder in tomorrow’s two sessions and in the Superpole shoot-out. Today’s fastest lap was posted by Spaniard Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki) – the first time he has been on provisional pole this season. Second is Briton Chris Walker (Ducati), with fellow countryman Neil Hodgson (Ducati) third. Completing the front row of the grid is Italian Frankie Chili – also Ducati mounted.

TROY – 13th, 2:04.865
It’s a good job I’m not superstitious! But I’m not concerned about where I ended up today, I was just happy to break the 2:04 barrier. I haven’t raced here for a couple of years and since then the track has been revised a bit. I think I could’ve gone a bit quicker, but a slow rider held me up, otherwise it might have been a low 2:04 instead. I really only started remembering what Assen is all about towards the end of the second session, so I’m satisfied with what we achieved today. Tomorrow we’ll try a few things – different rear shock and gearing for a start. I’m in between gears in some corners and although we made some alterations today, I feel that we can improve a bit more. The engines mods have helped getting rid of a flat spot in the power curve and I think the bike has definitely improved a little. The front Michelin feels pretty good, but I’ve still got a few rears to try. We’ll see how it all pans out tomorrow.


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Walker’s last minute dash

The huge buzz of expectation at the Dutch round of the Superbike World Championship at Assen centres on the crowning of Neil Hodgson as World Champion. However, while the runaway series leader was fastest for most of today’s free practice and first qualifying sessions, it looks likely that he will be under threat from his previous team – HM Plant Ducati – as he has been for most of this year.

Hodgson’s fellow Brits Chris Walker and James Toseland have finished second and eighth on the provisional grid for Sunday’s two Superbike races. The HM Plant Ducati riders may be out of the reckoning for the title but they are focussing on their personal goals in the remaining three rounds of the championship.

Toseland in particular has much to play for and is only 19 points behind Ruben Xaus in the battle for second place. The 22-year-old Sheffield star won his first World Superbike race this year and has come of age in his third year of racing in the series for GSE Racing/HM Plant Ducati.

However, the times at the end of the first day do him an injustice. He was second in the closing stages of the session, when the red flag was shown due to an incident involving one of the wild card riders. With only three minutes remaining, he opted to sit out the quick two-lap dash to the chequered flag.

“I’m really happy with how I’ve performed today,” said Toseland. “I was second for nearly all of the first qualifying session, having set my time on race tyres. There was no point in me wasting a qualifying tyre with dry weather forecast for tomorrow. We’ve got some more tyres to test but we’re looking at a good race set-up from the outset.”

Team-mate Chris Walker moved onto the provisional front row behind Gregorio Lavilla, relegating Hodgson to third. “I opted to use a qualifying tyre in the closing moments of qualifying and it paid off,” said the popular Nottingham rider.

“This is the first time that I have ridden a Ducati at Assen and so I’m having to put the work in to get the bike set up to my liking. It’s going well so far and I’m confident of making further progress tomorrow. Like all the British riders, I’m looking forward to the support we’re going to enjoy over the weekend – let’s hope that we can give them some results to cheer about.”


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Progress for Foggy PETRONAS Racing on first day at Assen

Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and James Haydon made progress throughout the first day of qualifying for the tenth round of the World Superbike championship at Assen, Holland. On the team’s first visit to the fast and flowing circuit, both riders had to learn the new back section of the circuit, in use for only the second year.

Troy shaved 1.5 seconds off his morning practice time to finish the afternoon session in 13th with a time of 2:04.865, 2.262 seconds off the pace set by Gregorio Lavilla. James also improved his morning time by more than three seconds with a best lap of 2:08.030.

Troy said: “I was happy to get down into the 4s by the end of the qualifying session. On my flying lap I was trying to get a tow from Chili but we came up behind a slower rider. Frankie got past him, I didn’t, and he was away. I’m only now really starting to remember where the track goes, and the new section is a little bit tricky. Its first chicane is easy but the long right and left section is very fast and I still need to find the right spot where to turn in.

“I have been playing with the rear shock and am still not 100 per cent happy with the setting yet. I have also changed the gearing and am still in between gears in some corners, although the changes have helped. The modifications to the engine seem to have got rid of a flat spot in the power curve. The front Michelin tyre feels pretty good but the track was a little bit dirty, so I still have a few rears to try.”

James said: “We have made steps forward and one particular rear made a big difference. It was a real shame that the session was stopped for a red flag with just three minutes remaining, as I was on a hot lap on a qualifier. When I went back out there was too much traffic. I still need to change where I am riding the track slightly. You can take 1.5 seconds off your time with just tiny improvements at each corner here.”


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Assen opens the final stage of World Superbike

The 6027 meters of Assen circuit, in The Netherlands, guest the World Superbike riders for the tenth round, after stop for summer holidays longer as a month. Assen guested the Superbike Circus in a splendid weather, light sun and ideal temperature, also if weather forecast for tomorrow say that we’ll have sky partly cloudy and possibility of light rain in the late afternoon, just in time for the possibility of a wet Superpole.

Regis Laconi is arrived in Assen with the left hand thumb wrapped for an injury suffered in a small accident riding during a training on his enduro motorbike, but the French rider of 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks immediately reassured the team about his physical condition and started quick his work to reach the best set up for the two 16 laps races next Sunday.

“I’m rather satisfied.” – said Laconi at the end of practices – “I felt a bit rusty after the holidays pause in the first morning practice session this morning, but very quick ether myself as the team got the correct pace. As fastest lap we could be better, no doubts, because today we concentrate in a long job looking for the best set up: Assen is a fast bike and requests a good pace, with the corners coming at you very fast, one after another, left and right. The bike looks quite good, but it isn’t still perfect, but I’m confident to solve all the problems tomorrow and the we may be good. My thumb? It’s nothing serious and I have any pain. Physically I’m in a perfect shape.”

David Garcia, 25th birthday for him today and the Spanish rider has been celebrated by the team, is quite satisfied too, also if his left arm is not in a good shape.

“Well, this first day has not been too bad. ” – told Garcia at the end of the day – “For sure I could be faster: at the end of qualifying session I was fast in the split time, then I’ve done a mistake in a corner and I’ve lost a lot of time. My arm works better and better as in Laguna Seca, I feel stronger. Here in Assen therefore, in I’m better in braking, I have some difficult to move the bike in the corners series, so tomorrow we’ll try to find a set up less hard for riding and easier in the corners.”



Sidecar qualifying at Assen, from a press release:

WEBSTER QUICKEST AT ASSEN

Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead picked their moment to perfection to record provisional pole after Friday’s combined qualifying at Assen, Holland in rounds seven and eight of the 2003 Superside World championship.

Webster said: “There were a lot of guys out there. I waited two minutes for the track to clear and managed to put in a fast lap.”

The eight times world champion improved on his early morning time by almost two seconds but was pushed hard by Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs. Jörg Steinhausen and Trevor Hopkinson posted the third quickest time.

“I am pleased. We ran a new engine this morning and it’s ok,” said reigning world champion Steve Abbott, who currently sits in fourth place in the championship standings with 62 points.

Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs were fourth with crowd favourites, Martien and Tonnie van Gils in fifth. Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer – second in the overall standings, six points adrift of Webster and Woodhouse – registered the sixth quickest time.


Superside World championship – Assen, Holland

1. Steve Webster, Suzuki, 2:10.976
2. Steve Abbott, Suzuki, 2:11.633
3. Jörg Steinhausen, Suzuki, 2:12.536
4. Tom Hanks, Yamaha, 2:13.783
5. Martien van Gils, Suzuki, 2:14.472
6. Klaus Klaffenböck, Yamaha, 2:16.149
7. Jock Skene, Suzuki, 2:16.377
8. Bill Philp, Yamaha, 2:16.978
9. Jean-Nöel Minguet, Suzuki, 2:17.790
10. Richard Gatt, Yamaha, 2:17.928