Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:37.114
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:37.130
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:37.762
4. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:37.810
5. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.981
6. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.282
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.414
8. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.929
9. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.430
10. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.597
11. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.970
12. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.127
13. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.158
14. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.188
15. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.018
16. Shawn Conrad, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.049
17. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.078
18. Greg Fryer, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:44.091
19. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.166
20. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.337
21. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.556
22. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.565
23. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.598
24. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.633
25. Randall Mennenga, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.747
26. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.749
27. Christopher Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.916
28. Giovanni Rojas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.071
29. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.112
30. Pedro Valiente, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.265
31. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:46.069
32. Steve Johnson, Aprilia RSV1000R, 1:46.449
33. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:46.645
34. Mike Luke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:46.715
35. DR. Jeff Purk, DDS, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:47.932
36. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:48.284
37. James Doerfler, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:48.464
38. Eric Dooyema, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:48.776
39. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:50.506
40. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:51.034

Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki’s Jamie Hacking pulled off-course with mechanical problems during the Sunday morning Superbike practice session.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Thunder Results:

1. Kirk McCarthy, Ducati 748RS, 13 laps
2. Mike Ciccotto, Buell Firebolt XB9R, -10.707 seconds
3. Thomas Montano, Ducati 748R, -14.291 seconds
4. David Estok, Buell Firebolt XB9R, -40.337 seconds
5. Reagan Jobe, Ducati 748, -57.364 seconds
6. Josh Bryan, Ducati 748, -65.119 seconds
7. Clark Freatman, Ducati 748, -66.995 seconds
8. Charlie Hewett, Ducati 748, -87.941 seconds
9. Jessica Zalusky, Ducati 748, -107.297 seconds
10. Brett Donahue, Yamaha/Rotax, -1 lap
11. Alex Freeman, Suzuki SV650, -1 lap
12. Tripp Nobles, Buell X-1, -6 laps, DNF, mechanical
13. Regan Jobe, Ducati 748, -13 laps, DNF
14. Charles Sipp, Buell 1200, -13 laps, DNF
15. Michael Handegard, Suzuki SV650, -13 laps, DNF

Provisional Point Pro Thunder Standings:

1. McCarthy, 151 points
2. Ciccotto, 122 points
3. Montano, 102 points
4. Bryan, 97 points
5. Freatman, 87 points
6. Estok, 82 points
7. Hewett, 70 points
8. Small, 68 points
9. Zalusky, 60 points
10. Nobles, 56 points

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Supersport Results:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 13 laps
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, -0.243 second
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -4.733 seconds
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, -5.004 seconds
5. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, -5.100 seconds
6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, -5.408 seconds
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, -6.231 seconds
8. Ben Spies, Suzuki, -9.550 seconds
9. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, -16.107 seconds
10. Mike Hale, Honda, -25.709 seconds
11. Ty Howard, Suzuki, -26.177 seconds
12. Andrew Nelson, Honda, -32.911 seconds
13. Jimmy Filice, Kawasaki, -51.157 seconds
14. Jason Hobbs, Suzuki, -53.832 seconds
15. Tyler Wadsworth, Yamaha, -53.899 seconds
16. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, -54.058 seconds
17. Scott Ruehle, Yamaha, -54.558 seconds
18. David Wappler, Honda
19. Sean Mowry, Yamaha
20. Kevin Pate, Suzuki
21. Kevin Lehman, Honda
22. Matt Prentice, Yamaha
23. Justin Blake, Suzuki
24. Hector Romero, Yamaha
25. Tim Mitchell, Suzuki
26. Martin Sims, Suzuki
27. Jessica Zalusky, Yamaha
28. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, -9 laps, DNF, crash
29.

Kawasaki’s young gun Tony Meiring held a two-second lead on lap four when he crashed unhurt in turn eight. From that point, Zemke and Tommy Hayden dueled all the way to the finish line.

Provisional AMA Supersport Point Standings:

1. Yates, 234 points
2. Tommy Hayden, 183 points
3. TIE, Buckmaster/Pridmore, 168 points
5. Kipp, 160 points
6. Hale, 156 points
7. Hacking, 155 points
8. Zemke, 148 points
9. Spies, 145 points
10. Roger Lee Hayden, 139 points
11. Tony Meiring, 138 points
12. Howard, 117 points
13. Alex Gobert, 86 points
14. Filice, 84 points
15. Wadsworth, 77 points
16. Anthony Gobert, 66 points
17. TIE, Nelson/Pate, 56 points
19. Jimmy Moore, 51 points
20. Blake, 43 points

Note: After the race, AMA officials tore down the primary racebikes and the spare racebikes of the first four riders. At post time, the results of that teardown were not available.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning AMA 250cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:42.438
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:43.135
3. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 1:43.879
4. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 1:44.283
5. Chris Pyles, Yamaha, 1:46.015
6. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:46.822
7. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:47.251
8. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:48.136
9. John Williams, Yamaha, 1:49.584
10. John France, Honda, 1:49.658
11. Glen Christianson, Yamaha, 1:51.501
12. Ty Piz, Yamaha, 1:52.386
13. Jeff Japs, Yamaha, 1:52.777
14. Mark Dargis, Yamaha, 1:53.204
15. Mark Vanderwerf, Yamaha, 1:53.368
16. Stephen Bowline, Honda, 1:53.885
17. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, 1:54.727
18. Jamie Worthington, Aprilia, 1:55.433
19. Andy Edwards, Yamaha, 1:58.110

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Results:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 21 laps
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -0.188 second
3. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, -9.599 seconds
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, -10.058 seconds
5. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, -14.799 seconds
6. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, -44.430 seconds
7. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, -65.960 seconds
8. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -97.130 seconds
9. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -98.866 seconds
10. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, -99.366 seconds
11. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, -110.263 seconds
12. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
13. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
14. Christopher Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
15. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
16. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
17. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
18. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
19. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
20. Greg Fryer, Yamaha YZF-R7, -1 lap

35. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNF, mechanical

37. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNF, mechanical

Provisional AMA Superbike Point Standings:

1. Hayden, 349 points
2. Bostrom, 307 points
3. Duhamel, 272 points
4. Yates, 260 points
5. Picotte, 252 points
6. Parriott, 212 points
7. Hacking, 208 points
8. Mladin, 207 points
9. Livengood, 201 points
10. Chandler, 180 points

Sunday’s win at Brainerd is Nicky Hayden’s seventh AMA Superbike win of the season and the 15th of his career. With the win, Hayden passes Mat Mladin on the all-time AMA Superbike win list and moves into a tie for fourth with Freddie Spencer.

Second place at Brainerd gives Eric Bostrom his seventh podium finish of the 2002 season.

Third place marks Doug Chandler’s first AMA Superbike podium finish since Pikes Peak in 2001. Chandler’s finish also gives Ducati its first AMA Superbike podium finish since Steve Rapp finished third at Willow Springs International Raceway in 2000.

More, from Mat Mladin’s publicist:

MAT MLADIN Racing – MEDIA INFORMATION
For immediate release
Sunday, 30 June 2002

Round 11, 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota, USA
Race report

ENGINE PROBLEMS FORCE MLADIN OUT OF BRAINERD SUPERBIKE RACE

Brainerd, Minnesota, USA (30 June) – After a promising start to the weekend, defending American Superbike champion Mat Mladin was forced out of today’s eleventh round of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship at Brainerd International Raceway with engine problems.

After qualifying third fastest for today’s 21-lap event, Mladin had been involved in a four-way battle for third place on the track when his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750 began to develop engine problems and slow. Mladin was lying in fifth position on the track just behind Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) and Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda) and in front of Doug Chandler (HMC Ducati) when he was forced to retire from the race on lap eleven while holding fifth place on the track.

Today’s result was another edition to what has been a very frustrating year for the Australian who now slips to eighth position on the championship points table.

“It’s an internal problem with the engine and at the moment I’m not sure what it is,” said Mladin. “I just rode it back to the pits and parked it. It felt as though something was wrong with the bike while we were sitting on the start line before the race started. It wasn’t running right and I guess we had the problem straight away. After that it lasted about three or four laps into the race before it began to slow and from that point I was basically just waiting to see how long it would finally last. I’m not sure if it had the same problem as happened to us yesterday in qualifying, we’ll find out later when we get it back to the shop.

“It has been hard for us all weekend,” added Mladin. “We did very well to put the Suzuki GSX-R750 into third place on the grid after qualifying, but we were struggling a lot with top end speed. This place is so fast that you can’t afford to give away top end speed like that and we paid the price for it.”

With Mladin out of contention, the race developed into a battle between main championship rivals Nicky Hayden (American Honda) and Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki). Bostrom led for much of the race, but it was Hayden who crossed the line first to take the win. Chandler got the better of the other two Hondas to grab third from DuHamel and Roberts.

Today’s win sees Hayden further extend his lead in the championship to 42-points over Bostrom with five races remaining in this year’s championship.

The AMA Championship heads to Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California in two weeks time (July 13 – 14) where they will be joined by the Superbike World Championship competitors in a double header round of superbike action. The AMA Superbike Championship race will be run on Saturday, with the two SWC races held on Sunday.

More, from HMC Ducati’s publicist:

Chandler scores first Superbike podium for HMC

The HMC Ducati team today celebrated their first AMA Superbike podium when their rider Doug Chandler finished in third place at Brainerd International Raceway. Chandler rode a strong steady race, running with the top five until it was safe to make his move. He passed both Miguel Duhamel and Eric Roberts with five laps to go and maintained that advantage to the checkered flag.

It was a well earned result for the factory supported team who, despite a good start with Chandler, have suffered a string of bad luck missing three races in round four and five, which severely damaged their points standing. But the HMC team have never waived in their faith for Chandler and the Californian rewarded them with a brilliant race today.

“It was a great race and I’m happy for the team,” said Chandler before mounting the rostrum. “I messed up the start and got pushed back some but I put my head down, determined not to let those guys get away. I was so focused on trying to hang with the lead guys that I almost wore myself out before mid distance and I knew I’d be junk if I kept it up. So I dropped off the pace slightly and fell into my own rhythm and with that just started picking guys off.

“Nicky (Hayden) and Eric (Bostrom) had a fair lead but I thought if I stayed close enough I had a good shot with Miguel and Kurtis. And that’s what I did! A couple of laps to go Miguel looked like he was dropping so I put my head down, put a couple of good laps in and in the end we got away.

“The team gave it their all this weekend. The bike was working the best it had all weekend and the turns I was struggling in during practice – turns one and two – I was really holding my own in [during the race]. Especially turn two; where I thought we were as good as anyone, if not better. That’s where I got both Miguel and Kurtis.

“This is a long time coming for sure.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning AMA Pro Thunder Practice Times:

1. Kirk McCarthy, Ducati 748RS, 1:44.053
2. Tripp Nobles, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 1:44.727
3. Thomas Montano, Ducati 748R, 1:45.100
4. Mike Ciccotto, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 1:45.192
5. Dave Estok, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 1:45.517
6. Heath Small, Ducati 748, 1:48.553
7. Reagan Jobe, Ducati 748, 1:49.727
8. Josh Bryan, Ducati 748, 1:50.012
9. Clark Freatman, Ducati 748, 1:50.690
10. Charlie Hewett, Ducati 748, 1:51.136
11. Jessica Zalusky, Ducati 748, 1:52.128
12. Brett Donahue, Yamaha/Rotax 628, 1:52.573
13. Charles Sipp, Buell 1200, 1:57.132
14. Alex Freeman, Suzuki SV650, 1:58.200
15. Michael Handegard, Suzuki SV650, 1:58.957

…Which, by their nature, represent a particular team’s (or rider’s) view of the universe…

From Mat Mladin’s publicist, Steve Reeves:

Round 11, 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota, USA
Final Qualifying Report

FRONT ROW START FOR SUPERBIKE CHAMPION MLADIN AT BRAINERD

Brainerd, Minnesota, USA (June 29) – Defending American Superbike champion Mat Mladin maintained his third position through final qualifying
and will start from the front row of the grid for this weekend’s eleventh round of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship at Brainerd
International Raceway, Minnesota.

Posting a time of 1-min 36.934-secs aboard his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750, Mladin trailed Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom who grabbed pole
position for the race with a time of 1:36.421 around the fast 4.828km Brainerd circuit. Second fastest was American Honda’s Nicky Hayden
(1:36.608) with teammate Miguel DuHamel completing the front row of the grid with a lap of 1:37.065.

Today’s qualifying sessions were held in hot and humid conditions with the temperature hovering around the 40ºC mark.

Mladin, from Camden south west of Sydney, had problems on lap two of today’s qualifying when his number one machine developed an engine problem and he was forced to use his second machine for the closing 20 minutes of the one-hour session.

“We had an engine problem early in the session that was a problem for us, but as the track was so hot, it was difficult to do quicker times than we did yesterday,” said Mladin. “We spent the session working through our usual program of finding the best possible race set up and I’m confident that we have one. We’ll get the number one bike back together for tomorrow which is good because I like the feel of it at the moment.

“As for the race tomorrow, I think that we’ll be in with the lead group which is a good thing for me since things haven’t been going that well for us lately,” added Mladin. “Brainerd is not physical a race track, so if it is as hot as it was today, I don’t think that it will be a big problem for rider fitness.”

Mladin heads into tomorrow’s 21-lap Superbike national holding sixth place in the championship, with Hayden leading the way with a commanding 40-point lead over Bostrom.



More, from Honda:

HONDA RACING NEWS

MotoGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2002
DUTCH TT, ASSEN
Race Day, Saturday June 29

ROSSI TAKES SIXTH 2002 MotoGP WIN

Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) waited until the 16th lap of the 19-lap Dutch TT to take the lead and from that point on his supremacy was never in question, setting the fastest lap of the race and the new record with a time of 2:00.973. Remarkably Rossi’s best time was set on the penultimate lap, when tyres on all machines are normally past their optimum grip level.

Despite the depressingly frequent rain showers in practice the track remained dry throughout the race and the 101,521 Saturday spectators were treated to a MotoGP race full of incident, including a top ten finish for their local hero Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500).

Starting from pole position Rossi was content to sit in the seven rider warring group that disputed the lead in the early laps, until Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500) shot through on lap three to make a clean break at the front. Rossi upped his pace to follow the Brazilian rider, keeping pace with him for 12 laps, frequently probing and testing Barros across the start/finish straight. Rossi eventually made his decisive move over the line and immediately found another second per lap until the chequered flag appeared.

“As I expected that was very difficult,” said a satisfied World Champion. “My start was not so bad and I had a close first lap contest with Carlos Checa. I was happy in the first group until Alex Barros arrived and the rhythm of the race changed completely. Immediately he went a second faster and I tried to overtake Kenny Roberts as quickly as possible, so I could stay with Alex, because I was worried he might get away. I have never seen a 500cc two-stroke ridden as fast as that since 2000. I was helped when I pushed hard on the last two laps because my bike was better than his on acceleration. I made two good laps at the end, both inside 2 minutes zero, and that gave me the win.” Rossi’s latest victory extended his championship lead to 62 points.

Barros was resigned to give best to the faster four-stroke machine on the final few laps, despite never abandoning his last-gasp pursuit of the fleeing Rossi. “The beginning was very good and the fantastic two-stroke machine I have helped me. I arrived in the first group very fast and pushed to make a gap. I knew Valentino was behind me but I knew that he could pass anytime. I tried to go with him when he came by, but it was just not possible.”

Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) was disputing third place for most of the race but a last chicane incident, while lying fourth, saw him run off the track, fall on the damp trackside grass and drop one place, finishing fifth after re-starting. “For most of the race I had a good fight with Checa and Max Biaggi,” he explained. “I really wanted to finish on the
podium so I tried to overtake at the final chicane and Carlos and I had a coming together. I got on the grass, which was a little damp, and I slipped off. I got the bike started again and finished fifth. Eleven points are better than none.” Ukawa’s misfortune saw him drop further behind Rossi (on 170 points) in the championship standings, despite his otherwise impressive
108-point total. Checa (Yamaha) sits in third on 72, Barros fourth on 71 and Biaggi fifth on 69.

A good race from hometown hero van den Goorberg saw him seize a top ten finish in an assertive fashion, sending his local crowd home happy. “I took my best finish of the year and I am pleased about that because I was not so sure about our dry set-up,” commented van den Goorbergh. “Maybe we would have been even better in the rain because our Bridgestone tyres are quite superb in those conditions, but we made the right dry weather set-up and tyre choices anyway. I had a battle with Alex Hofmann and I knew I had to
overtake him in a place he would never expect it. I passed him in the new section, in the really fast part, and left him just enough room so that he would not crash. This is my home race, so I was determined to do well.”

Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR500) was just behind the van den Goorberg/Hofmann dispute and took a 12th place finish after another subdued race performance. “I had to use different leg muscles than normal to change direction on the bike and this shows that the bike is not set-up the way I like it. I hope we can find a better set-up before the next race at Donington.”

A still-injured shoulder held back the challenge of Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500), although the Japanese rider was giving of his best to finish 13th, despite the pain and weakness he experienced. “My shoulder was very painful, especially here, because it is a very fast circuit, with lots of quick changes of direction. You have to put more effort into the steering the faster the chicanes are and I did not have the strength to do it. My bike and tyres very good today, only I was no good!”

Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500) suffered a crash on the fifth lap, highsiding himself out of the saddle exiting the fast first turn, being dragged along for a time, then parting company with his machine just as he approached the run-off area at high speed. Carried away by stretcher, Capirossi was up on his feet minutes after his crash, but was later diagnosed with a broken right wrist. Initial reports suggest he is expected to be out until the Brno GP.

In the 250cc race an outstanding push through the field, from 17th place on the grid, put Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) third, joining the podium topping pairing of Marco Melandri (Aprilia) and Tony Elias (Aprilia). The Italian rider made up ten places on lap one and had worked himself into third place after only ten laps of the 18-lap race. He took the new record of 2:04.824 on the 12th lap, as he tried to narrow the gap
to Elias.
“We had a few problems in practice, with the front end tucking under twice,” said Rolfo. Today I had a fantastic bike and I finally got a better feeling from the front end. I tried to push really hard on the first lap but I was held-up by some slower riders. Once I was clear I just concentrated and rode really hard.” Victory for Melandri puts him back into the championship lead on 120 points, with Fonsi Nieto (Aprilia) on 112 and Rolfo on a competitive 96.

Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) only completed two laps, retiring after running off the track. “I am very disappointed about this GP. I made a very good start and made up some places on the first lap but I had problems with the front suspension and I lost many places. I couldn’t control my entry into corners and I made a mistake because of that, ran straight on across a corner and that stopped my race.”

Top Honda privateer was Haruchika Aoki (Arie Molenaar Racing Honda RS250R/W) who took his evolution-spec machine to a giant-killing sixth place, in a race with 23 finishers.

Sixteen-year old Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R)won his first ever GP race after an assured display of front running from flag to finish line. His success made him the third youngest rider ever to have taken a full 125GP victory.

Stamping his authority on the early laps he worked his way to a 3.6 second lead mid-race, before easing up to take a 2.5 second winning margin. “That was phenomenal!” enthused Pedrosa. “I feel good to have had such a great victory. I couldn’t be happier than I am now.”

The experience of World Champion Manuel Poggiali (Gilera) gave him the second place on the Assen podium, but the joy of the Telefonica Movistar
Junior Team was redoubled when Joan Olive scored a career best third place. Olive also took the fastest lap of the race, 2:11.209; the new lap record at the altered Assen track.

New engine parts assisted the young Spaniard in his landmark performance, achieved after an eventful afternoon’s work, which saw him lying anywhere from second to seventh at any particular point during the 17-lap race. “In the past I have had some problems, but today I pushed hard and did my best. I’m pleased to have scored my first podium and it’s all thanks to my family and mechanics. The whole team worked very hard this weekend.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS125R) was the next Honda finisher, in 11th place. Front row qualifier Mika Kallio (Red Devil Honda RS125R) crashed out on the last lap while battling for the last podium placing.

Poggiali still leads the 125cc World Championship with a 20 point margin, 131 to Pedrosa’s 111. The 2002 MotoGP season continues at Donington, Great Britain, on 14 July.


HONDA TEAM QUOTES:

MotoGP:
Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda Team, 1st :
“The race was difficult. I made a pretty good start. I touched with Carlos in the early laps and managed to fight in the top group. When Barros arrives the rhythm of the race changes; it was about a second faster than it was before and he goes. I can keep with him because I my bike has more acceleration. There were points where Barros was incredible today. I’ve never seen a rider ride a 500 like this since 2000. I ride better towards the end of the race and do two fantastic laps. I use 100% of the bike.”

Alex Barros, West Honda Pons, 2nd :
“The team produced a fantastic bike for me to race today. I tried my very best to beat Valentino but it was impossible. I tried to get into the lead as soon as possible and pull away but Valentino was right behind me and I knew he would pass me. Once he got past I tried to stay with him but the RCV had too much horsepower.”

Tohru Ukawa, Repsol Honda Team, 5th :
“I got a good start and was up to third at one point. Then for most of the race I have a good fight with Biaggi and Checa. There were some parts of the circuit I was quicker than Checa and some points I was slower. I really wanted a podium finish and made a move on Checa at the final chicane. We came together and I got on the grass, which was a little damp and slid off.
Luckily I managed to get the bike over the line for a fifth position finish. Of course I am disappointed not to finish higher but in the
circumstances 11 points is better than nothing.”

Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Kanemoto Honda, 10th:
“This weekend was hard work, but very satisfactory. We have proved we are more than competitive in the wet and I wanted it to rain for the race. I’m a wet weather rider and with our wet tyres I would have done very well here. I went out early to get in two warm-up laps and get some feel from the tyres. Back at the start I put in a new rear tyre for the race so I would have good grip from the start. I was behind Laconi at the beginning and he was difficult to pass. After that I was racing in a group, Nakano and Hofmann in front of me Abe behind. I got Hofmann at the fast ‘S’ bends at the back of the paddock. It’s about 260km/h in sixth gear right there so you have to be precise but he left a small gap and I dived underneath him when he least expected it. I had tried it on Olivier (Jacque) early in the race so I knew I could do it.”

Team owner manager Erv Kanemoto:
“The bike ran well and Jurgen rode a good race. But we definitely need to work on the rear tyre; it looks like it worked really hard in the race. After qualifying we had hoped for rain because the rain tyres we have are a match for anything out there. This race, however, confirmed the data we recorded at the Catalunya test 10 days ago, which was held in a much more controlled atmosphere. Undoubtedly the rear tyres we tested there are better but we will not see the real benefit for couple of races. “

Daijiro Kato, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 12th:
“Practice restricted me from having a perfect bike for the race today. On Thursday it didn’t have the right set-up, it did yesterday – but in wet conditions. Today I didn’t have good settings: I wasn’t fast in changing direction, but the reason wasn’t the long trips to Japan for the Suzuka 8 Hour testing, they are really only tiring. You will see that I’ll come back from this and run at the front at Donington Park.”

Fausto Gresini:
“Today we didn’t have the right machine adjustments fo Kato and he didn’t ride as he would like. I take comfort from Roberto Rolfo’s podium in the 250cc race and I hope to see Daijiro at the front, starting at Donington
Park. Our objective is to fight for third place in the championship and I think that this is possible. The first two places are already booked: the two Honda RC211V’s are incredible. They are really fast and we hope to have them for next season.”

Tetsuya Harada, Pramac Honda Racing Team, 13th :
“Today the bike was perfect like the tyres and the suspension. I was not in a good form: here
at Assen there are many changes of directions and after a few laps I was not able to ride because of the ache. Anyway I feel confident for the future as we improved a lot during the practices.”


Loris Capirossi, West Honda Pons, Crashed in lap 15 :
“I’m very, very disappointed. I’ve broken my right wrist and I’m in plaster. I have no hope of racing again until Brno, in August.”

Sito Pons :
“I’m very sad by what happened to loris because he was hoing well in the championship and this injury is a serious knock to our aspirations. In any case, he is having an exceptional World Championship and when he returns he will continue to be one of the to guys on the grid. Conversely, Alex has delighted us all today, demonstrating all his potential and battling until the very last lap. We have to keep working so that in the next few races we can maintain this extraordinary level.”

250cc:
Roberto ROLFO, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 3rd
“First I have to thank my team who worked in a really good way this weekend. On the first day of practice I had big problems with the front end that tucked under twice in fast corners. This problem robbed me of confidence. Today I had a fantastic bike: my mechanics did a wonderful job. As I had promised I started very quickly, even if the fight to get through the first corner was really diffficult, a lot of riders were slower than me there, this was really difficult. I always pushed at maximum, with a lot of concentration and I’m really happy.”

Fausto Gresini:
“Roberto had a great start and he knew how to climb back through the field. It’s a pity because it was not possible to see all his potential because he started so far back on the grid: with a different start we should fight for victory. This is our target: fight to win, every race. Anyway I say bravo to Roberto and I’m sorry for Emilio who wiil soon give of his best.”

Haruchika AOKI, DeGraaf Grand Prix Team, , 6th:
“I got a really good start and could race with the group I was in no problem. But with about seven laps to go my tyres were sliding. I had to let Rolfo go, I was just siding too much to risk racing harder. The lap times were very good before that and I must say this development bike is getting better step by step each race.”


125cc:
Daniel Pedrosa, Telefonica MoviStar Honda, 1st:
“I want to dedicate this victory to my family, my team, and above all to Alberto Puig for having shown confidence in me. And for all he has taught
me. Since the first day here at Assen I have felt comfortable. The bike was working perfectly, and I was able to give the maximum of myself. I started off in the lead, and at once I tried to open a gap so that I wouldn’t have same experience as at Catalunya. I kept my concentration focused by treating the race like a qualifying session, trying to make each lap better than the one before. In this way the race seemed quite short to me. “

Joan Olive, Telefonica MoviStar Honda, 3rd:
“At last, I made it! Today I was able to demonstrate that I can be with the leaders, after a spell of bad luck. The battle with Poggialli, Cecchinello and the rest was very tough, but I was determined to make the podium. It was my greatest wish. I got the fastest lap of the race, two seconds quicker than my qualifying time but I had nothing to lose, and a lot to gain.”

Andrea Dovizioso, Scot Racing Honda, 11th:
“I got a good start from the fifth row and immediately joined the group I raced the whole way with. I got 11th at thee end and ran 2m 11.8s, so I’m happy with that.”

Masao Azuma, Tribe by Breil Honda, 14th:
“My start was fine but I made a small mistake that cost me time, enough to lose three four places enough for the group to get in front of me. I could slipstream them and out-brake them but they would get me on the next straight.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA 250cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 13 laps
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, -5.715 seconds
3. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, -35.590 seconds
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, -43.303 seconds
5. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, -60.796 seconds
6. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, -60.815 seconds
7. Simon Turner, Yamaha, -84.714 seconds
8. Ty Piz, Yamaha, -84.714 seconds
9. John France, Honda, -95.627 seconds
10. Glen Christianson, Yamaha, -1 lap
11. Stephen Bowline, Honda, -1 lap
12. Brett Donahue, Yamaha/Rotax, -1 lap
13. James Worthington, Aprilia, -1 lap
14. Mark Dargis, Yamaha, -1 lap
15. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, -1 lap
16. Mark Vanderwerf, Yamaha, -1 lap
17. Andrew Edwards, Yamaha, -1 lap
18. John Williams, Yamaha, -2 laps
19. Chris Pyles, Yamaha, -8 laps, DNF, mechanical
20. Jeff Japs, Yamaha, -13 laps, DNF, crash

Provisional AMA 250cc Grand Prix Standings Point:

1. Sorensen, 236 points
2. Melneciuc, 185 points
3. DiSalvo, 177 points
4. Turner, 166 points
5. Sorbo, 162 points
6. Piz, 144 points
7. TIE, Jensen/Oliver, 140 points
9. Fulce, 121 points
10. Williams, 110 points

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:36.421
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:36.631
3. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.258
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:37.410
5. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:37.826
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.097
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.326
8. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.664
9. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.926
10. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.272
11. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.372
12. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.771

Combined Superbike Qualifying Times:

1. Eric Bostrom, 1:36.421
2. Nicky Hayden, 1:36.608
3. Mat Mladin, 1:36.934
4. Miguel Duhamel, 1:37.065
5. Doug Chandler, 1:37.258
6. Kurtis Roberts, 1:37.826
7. Aaron Yates, 1:38.164
8. Jamie Hacking, 1:38.557
9. Pascal Picotte, 1:38.926
10. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.365
11. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.719
12. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.780
13. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.830
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSXR-750, 1:41.950
15. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.024
16. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.372
17. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.712
18. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.771
19. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.823
20. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.865
21. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.975
22. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.995
23. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.084
24. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.138
25. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.217
26. Chris Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.357
27. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.597
28. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.879
29. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.954
30. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.116
31. Shawn Conrad, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.120
32. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.130
33. Greg Fryer, Yamaha FZR750R, 1:44.195
34. Pedro Valienta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.249
35. Randall Mennenga, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.416
36. Giovanni Rojas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.444
37. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.657
38. Rob Christman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.009
39. Steve Johnson, Aprilia RS Mille R, 1:45.334
40. Mike Luke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.364
41. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.391
42. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.563
43. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.881
44. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.934
45. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:46.232
46. Jeff Purk DDS, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:46.399
47. James Doerfler, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:46.731
48. Eric Dooyema, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:47.149
49. Mike Walsh, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:49.468
50. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:49.865
51. Scotty Van Scoik, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:50.990
(112% of pole time = 1:47.992)