Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:31.919
2. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:32.325
3. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:32.477
4. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:32.509
5. Alex Barros, Honda RC211V, 1:32.572
6. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:32.592
7. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:32.849
8. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:32.889
9. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:32.918
10. Daijiro Kato, Honda RC211V, 1:32.927
11. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:32.927
12. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:33.116
13. Shinichi Itoh, Honda, 1:33.160
14. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.424
15. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:33.433
16. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:33.471
17. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:33.565
18. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:33.572
19. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki ZX-RR, 1:33.842
20. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:33.848
21. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, 1:34.447
22. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:35.317

More, from a press release issued by Red Bull Yamaha:

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Saturday 19th October 2002
Final Qualifying

MAGIC FROM McCOY

Australian, Garry McCoy attacked the 4.448 km Phillip Island track and in what has been the highlight of his season so far, secured a front row start for his home Grand Prix.

“The Slide King” sliced almost a full second off his qualifying time from yesterday and set a scorching time of 1:32.325 just 0.406-second off pole, set by two-stroke rival Jeremy McWilliams.

For the first time this year, the front row consists of only two-stroke machines, a factor that McCoy can’t quite explain.

“Its surprised me all weekend. I thought it being a fast ­ flowing track with sweeping turns that it would suit the four-strokes. I really don’t know what’s happening,” said the 30-year-old Australian.

In 2001, McCoy started his “home” GP from the 4th row in 14th place and due to mechanical problems was unable to finish the race. He is making sure this weekend that his memory of Phillip Island is replaced by something far more positive.

Teammate to McCoy, 19-year-old American John Hopkins, found another 1.987-second improvement today from yesterday’s qualifying session and lines up tomorrow on the fourth row of the grid. Hopkins who is rounding off his rookie year in the Moto GP has been impressive and consistent all season. Four top-10 finishes under his belt so far with intentions to finish this, his first Moto GP championship, in the Top Ten.

GARRY McCOY ­ 2nd 1:32.325
“It’s my best qualifying yet this Season and I’m happy to be on the front row. The two-strokes are working pretty well here and I think it’s going to be a tough race tomorrow. It will be good to see what’s going to happen with all the different tyre manufactures and different machinery. I’m pretty confident with the tyres for tomorrow although we have not done a full race distance yet.

“I’ve got a bit of a cold and I feel under the weather so I’d really like to feel ‘unsick.'”

JOHN HOPKINS ­ 14th 1:33.424
“I thought I did quite well today and I am pretty happy with it. Yesterday my fastest time was a 35.4 so I’ve made a big improvement today and gained about 2 seconds. The wind is so strong and it just blows you around everywhere but I’ve just had to adapt to the conditons and learn the new track.

“The track has a lovely layout and we’re looking like we’ve got a pretty good set-up for the race. I felt good out there today and I’m pretty happy all in all.”

PETER CLIFFORD ­ DIRECTOR OF RACING
“Brilliant ride from Jeremy. Damn him.

“Congratulations to the Roberts Team but I’m sure that Garry is going to make sure tomorrow does not come out the same way.

“On whole our team has put in a fantastic performance and its just shows that Garry and John are two of the best riders on the grid.”

More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Yamaha:

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, PHILLIP ISLAND
Final Qualifying, Saturday October 19 2002

STRANGE DAY FOR MARLBORO YAMAHA MEN
Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR-M1 riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa had another difficult day at windswept Phillip Island today, qualifying eighth and 20th for tomorrow’s Australian Grand Prix. The pair have struggled to assume their usual front-of-pack positions here but have high hopes of improving in the race, which will start with four 500 two-strokes on the front row for the first time in MotoGP.

“Strange results today, with an all-500 front row,” said Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio. “All the four-strokes seem to be suffering a little here, and I guess it’s the same for us. Today we continued working on adjustments, trying different suspension settings and engine mappings, but the wind doesn’t help and we’re still not there. Max could have a good race though, he’s on the second row and if the four-strokes are stronger over race distance, he’ll have a chance. But it will be tough for Carlos because he’s starting from the fifth row on the grid. He’s still not confident with the bike, so we’ll see what he can work out with his technicians this evening.”

BIAGGI STAYS ON ISLAND SECOND ROW
Max Biaggi, winner of last Sunday’s Malaysian GP, will start tomorrow’s Phillip Island GP from the second row of the grid after qualifying eighth fastest, 0.970 seconds off pole position. The Marlboro Yamaha Team man, who has had ten front-row starts this year, including three poles, needs another good result here to boost his bid for runner-up spot in the 2002 MotoGP World Championship.

“For sure the situation is not so rosy for us here,” said the Italian, a close second here last year and the Island winner in 2000. “I gave my maximum today, just like I do when I fight for pole, but this time I couldn’t do better than eighth. Being on the second row is a bit strange! My main problem is lack of confidence in keeping the front wheel on the tarmac, so the wind is troublesome. It’s also quite cold here, but I trust Michelin for the race, their tyres are the best and the future. Also, it’s strange to see four two-strokes on the front row but I think the race will be quite different.”

CHECA FASTER BUT ON FIFTH ROW
Carlos Checa improved his speed during today’s final Australian GP qualifying session, lapping the high-speed track 0.660 seconds faster than yesterday, but it wasn’t enough to move him up the grid. He will start the race from the fifth row of the grid after posting 20th-quickest time. This hasn’t been a normal weekend for the Marlboro Yamaha Team star who has scored six front row starts so far this year, including one pole position.

“It’s a shame this isn’t like go-kart racing, when they start the quickest guys from the back of the grid and the slowest guys from the front, because that way I might have a chance tomorrow!” said a philosophical Checa, extracting some humour from the situation. “My main problem is that I can’t carry enough speed through the fast sections, especially the run towards Lukey Heights. I can flick into turn one, no problem, but the bike doesn’t want to turn when I’m on the gas, it wants to stand up. We’ll try some more things in warm-up and see what we can do in the race.”

McWILLIAMS’ SHOCK POLE POSITION
Jeremy McWilliams amazed the Australian GP paddock by scoring the first-ever pole position for King Kenny Roberts’ Proton Team KR squad. Riding the slowest but lightest bike on the grid, MotoGP’s oldest rider used the KR3’s superior corner speed to devastating effect. “Corner speed is everything at Phillip Island,” said the 38-year-old Briton. “I’ve been pole here before, so I knew it was possible but I never expected to go that quick.”

FRONT ROW
1. Jeremy McWilliams (GBR) PROTON Team KR (KR3) 1:31.919
2. Garry McCoy (AUS) Red Bull YAMAHA WCM (YZR500) 1:32.325
3. Nobuatsu Aoki (JPN) PROTON Team KR (KR3) 1:32.477
4. Jurgen vd Goorbergh (NED) KANEMOTO Racing (NSR500) 1:32.509
8. MAX BIAGGI (ITA) Marlboro YAMAHA Team (YZR-M1) 1:32.889
20. CARLOS CHECA (SPA) Marlboro YAMAHA Team (YZR-M1) 1:33.848

More, from a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

PROTON’S FIRST POLE AND DOUBLE FRONT ROW IN AUSTRALIA

Round 15: Australian GP, Phillip Island Final Qualifying: Saturday, October 19, 2002

Jeremy McWilliams: First, 1:31.919
Nobuatsu Aoki: Third, 1:32.477

Proton Team KR riders produced the best qualifying performance in five years for legendary former champion Kenny Roberts’s team and his lightweight three-cylinder motorcycle, claiming pole position and third place so that both will start from the front row in tomorrow’s Australian GP at the scenic seaside circuit of Phillip Island, south of Melbourne.

McWilliams, overcoming a top speed deficit of almost 30km/h with his blinding corner speed, and had already set the fastest ever two-stroke lap of the 4.448km circuit with ten minutes of the final session to go. Then he was knocked off the top of the listing, and went out again to raise the standard still higher, and put his name back on top by a significant four tenths of a second.

Aoki had also been pushing hard throughout the session, and he too waited until the end for his best, slashing 1.3 seconds off his previous best time to slot into third place on the first all-two-stroke front row of the first season of the MotoGP class, which opens the premier motorchycle racing series also to 990cc four-stroke prototypes.

Conditions were windy again today, and McWilliams joined a handful of other riders in a novel solution – with technicians drilling a variety of different-sized holes in his machine’s fairing. Aoki preferred to stick with full bodywork and look for a solution to the instability by improving suspension settings.

Tomorrow’s race is the 15th of 16 rounds in the MotoGP world championship. Next season, Proton Team KR will be fielding their own V5 990cc four-stroke for the same pair of riders.

JEREMY McWILLIAMS
“This is what makes racing fun. That wasn’t by any means a perfect lap, but I’ll take it, even if I was a little bit ragged. I sort of expected it all weekend. There’s been a problem with a wind throughout, but it just dropped enough in the last seven minutes that I could get a run at it. It showed us how to get some improvements, especially to the gearbox, because I was over-revving at some places. The fairing holes create a negative pressure, and it’s just not so bumpy in the crosswinds. I feel that in my head, so at least they are better psychologically. For the race, I need a much better start than usual. Our problem is we get eaten on the straights. I just need to get a break. I might have to be a bit harsh getting through them. It might be a contact sport tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.”

NOBUATSU AOKI
“I don’t care about fairing holes. I will ride with or without. The most important thing is to find a good set up. This morning I was struggling a little bit, but some changes to the front fork made it a lot better. Yesterday I was good on fast corners but not the slow turns. Now it’s better on the slow turns, and still okay on the fast. For the race, I can make consistent lap times, and even on the harder rear tyre I could do the times. I’m surprised – maybe everyone is surprised – to see three Bridgestone bikes on the front row, but the tyres are working very well here.”

KENNY ROBERTS – Team Owner
“We were on pole for a couple of seconds in Germany three years back, but another rider was following Kenny on our bike, and went faster right away. Now our theories seem to be working. This year we have the corner speed we’ve needed all along. Some of that’s the Bridgestone tyres, some of it is the riders. The race will be very difficult for us. There are a lot of fast trackers out there, and it’s hard for our guys to find their way round them. It will be down to how the tyres last, and our tyres are working pretty good. It’s going to be an exciting race. Especially for the riders.”

More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:

MOTOGP 2002
ROUND 14 – PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
19TH OCTOBER 2002 – QUALIFYING PRACTICE 2

ANDREW PITT 19TH ON THE GRID FOR HOME GP
Australian GP novice Andrew Pitt put his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 19th on the starting grid in only his second ride on the brand-new Green Machine, equalling his qualifying position for last week’s debut Malaysian GP, and taking the prototype another step closer towards its full-time debut next year.

Pitt dug deep into his home circuit knowledge, able to concentrate on working on the machine settings, gearing and suspension without also having to learn his way round a new track. The result was a steady improvement over two days and four hours of qualifying, with Pitt slashing almost two seconds off his lap time from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon.

The New South Wales rider, who won the 2001 World 600 Supersport Championship on a Kawasaki, was drafted in at short notice last weekend to replace injured factory tester Akira Yanagawa. The 990cc in-line four-cylinder prototype is by far the most powerful bike he has ever ridden, and he has also had to adapt to carbon brakes and re-adapt to slick tyres.

But his primary role is to move the Ninja ZX-RR down the road of development. The bike ran for the first time in current lightweight-chassis fuel-injected form only in September, and is taking part in the final four GPs of this season in preparation for a full season in 2003.

Andrew Pitt – 19th in 1.33’842: I was able to cut another six tenths of a second off yesterday’s lap time, and I’m happy about the fact that we made further progress, even though I dropped one row further back on the starting grid. I think I could have gone even faster in the end, but we tried a supposedly quicker way of starting the engine for my last run in order to save a few seconds, but instead I missed the last run altogether. No worries though – we improved our lap time, I managed to ride around a few problems that we’ve had, and I know that I can ride with a few of the other guys in the race. It would be great to get some points!

Takashi Yasui – Staff Officer, Kawasaki Research & Development Division: We made a mistake when we tried to push-start our bike for Andrew’s last run instead of using the auxiliary engine, and we missed our last time attack. No big problem – just another valuable experience for our crew!

Harald Eckl – Team Manager: Progress happens in small steps, and I’m happy with what we’ve achieved. In Malaysia, Andrew was two seconds behind the field, now he has closed the gap, and next time, it will be even better again!

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

ROWS THREE AND FOUR AS SUZUKI MEN SLASH THEIR TIMES

MotoGP, Round 15, Final Qualifying, Phillip Island, Australia – Saturday, October 19, 2002:

TEAM Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and Sete Gibernau placed 12th and 15th in the final qualifying session for tomorrow’s Australian GP. Both riders slashed their lap times by more than a second apiece, and improved overall positions on a close grid, with Kenny starting from the third row, and Sete one row behind.

Roberts cut 1.2-seconds off his previous best time, and was less than a second off a surprise pole, set by 500cc two-stroke rider Jeremy McWilliams. His three-cylinder Proton headed an unusual all-two-stroke front row, the first this year. All four front row qualifiers were on other makes of tyre than the class-leading Michelins used by the Suzuki team, and Roberts was barely half-a-second slower round the 4.448km circuit by the sea than the fastest Michelin runner, fifth-placed Alex Barros.

Gibernau was in turn a quarter of a second down on Kenny after a similar improvement, but interestingly the two riders followed very different technical routes in finding the way to make the machine more stable in the gusty crosswinds that continued to sweep the island circuit south of Melbourne.

Roberts and several other riders cut holes in the fairing flanks to minimise the effect of the cross-winds, while Gibernau preferred to work on suspension changes to find the stability needed for the inch-perfect corner lines on the fast sweeping turns of Phillip Island.

The Australian GP is the penultimate round in the 2002 MotoGP season, the first year of opening the 500cc class to 990cc four-stroke prototypes like the V4 Suzuki GSV-R. Now nearing the end of what was always scheduled as a race-development season, the machines are more competitive than ever, and at the same time are yielding more data for the engineers to build in to next year’s Mk2 version, already well advanced at factory race-shop headquarters in Japan.

KENNY ROBERTS – 12th Position, 1:33.116
“We did some consistent laps with race tyres, but there are some corners out there that are pretty hard with this wind, and that’s where I’m losing time, so we’re going to keep working on those areas for tomorrow. The fairing modifications we made to help it cut through the wind do seem to me to be an improvement. They keep the front more stable when it’s leaned over. There’s definitely something there for us to learn from, and hopefully the factory can find out why, and build in an even bigger improvement in that area for next year’s bike, to go one step further with a standard fairing. We’re suffering a little on top speed, but honestly it’s been so windy here I haven’t been able to tell my guys anything about the set-up. They’ve just been making it better, and I’m riding it. The guys are carrying me along this weekend. I’m on the third row, so hopefully I can get a good start, and be somewhat competitive tomorrow.”

SETE GIBERNAU – 15th Position, 1:33.433
“Not too bad. Again we’re chipping away at things. My chassis settings are much better today. I’m still having some aerodynamic problems into Turns One and Two. We need to work on that, but I’m not convinced that the fairing changes will solve the problem. I haven’t tried them yet.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
“In real terms were just six tenths behind the top Michelin rider, and I believe that Michelins will be the tyres to be on tomorrow. As part of the process, following Kenny’s suggestions, we cut substantial parts out of his fairing to try and stop it acting like a sail in these strong winds. His ideas seem to be right, and the skeleton fairing has made a significant contribution to stability, but rather surprisingly no reduction in top speed. That tells us something about our fairing, and is food for thought for the Japanese engineers. Sete has been gradually improving also, and I’m sure they’ll both do everything they can in the race. If we can’t be on pole, it’s good to see Proton there, so congratulations to Kenny’s father’s team.”

SATURDAY OFFICIAL QUALIFYING TIMES PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
1. J. McWilliams (Proton KR) 1:31.919,
2. G. McCoy (Yamaha) +0.405,
3. N. Aoki (Proton KR) + 0. 558,
4. J. vd Goorbergh (Honda) + 0.590,
5. A. Barros (Honda) + 0.653,
6 T. Ukawa (Honda) + 0.673,
7. V. Rossi (Honda)+ 0.930,
8. M. Biaggi (Yamaha) +0.970,
9. L. Capirossi (Honda) + 0.999,
10 D. Kato (Honda) + 1.008,
12. KENNY ROBERTS (TELEFONICA MOVISTAR SUZUKI) + 1.197,
15. SETE GIBERNAU (TELEFONICA MOVISTAR SUZUKI) + 1.514.

More, from a press release issued by Honda:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

MotoGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2002
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, PHILLIP ISLAND
Final Qualifying, Saturday October 19th

VAN DEN GOORBERGH TAKES FRONT ROW START

The most unusual qualifying result of the 2002 season delivered an all-500cc two-stroke front row at Phillip Island, with the top Honda runner proving to be Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500), in fourth place. Equally unexpectedly, there were no Michelin runners on the front row, with three Bridgestone and one Dunlop-supplied riders in the top four spots.

Held in largely the same windy conditions that plagued day one of qualifying, the final timed session was a frantic affair on the final laps, as the winds eased by a small degree and all the top riders embarked on one last gasp effort to take pole.

Van den Goorbergh, quick all weekend long, was happy with his entire package in qualifying, and feels he can put in a good race performance as well.

“Maybe this result has got more to do with the fact that we have got softer qualifying tyres than Michelin at the moment, but nevertheless I think that in terms of race lap times we are also competitive,” said the Dutch rider. “All weekend long we have been around fifth or sixth. It is nice to be here and back at the front again because it has been such a frustrating year. Until now it has not been going that well, and I don’t think it’s my fault either, so it is good to have this chance to show I can be successful.”

Alex Barros (West Honda Pons RC211V), pole for much of the session, went fifth overall, the top 990cc four-stroke rider on show once more.

“I think that the front row is a bit of a mirage,” said Barros, wryly. “I am happy because I am the first rider on Michelin tyres and also the first four-stroke pilot. Obviously I would have liked to be on the front row, but I am lapping quickly and I have a lot of confidence in the bike’s settings and the tyre choice.”

A numerical Honda domination of the top ten positions continued with Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V) in sixth, scoring a second row start after making ground on the second day.

“I am pretty happy with the result in these conditions,” affirmed Ukawa. “We have a good balance of the machine and the tyres are showing constant wear, which is important for the race. The tyres are moving a little on the gas but the whole package feels fine. Starting from the second row is no big deal.”

New World Champion Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RC211V) went pole with 18 minutes of the final one-hour session remaining, dropping to seventh at the end, unable to get another perfect lap in before the final hour elapsed. If Rossi does repeat his 2001 success at Phillip Island it would be his 50th GP win in all classes.

“Generally the feeling of the bike is good,” said Rossi. “The place I know I need to be faster is the hairpin, the feeling from the bike is not so good there. The front doesn’t feel too solid and right in the middle of the corner there is a little chatter before the power comes on. Our bike is heavier and it needs a lot of effort to move it around in these conditions. For the race it will be very important to look after the tyres to be competitive.”

The first place on the third row of the grid was earned by Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500), with the two-stroke rider running in tandem with his four-stroke equipped team-mate Barros for long periods of qualifying.

“This second day of qualifying has gone better than the first,” said a relieved Capirossi. “I think we are going about it in the right way to be competitive. I am lapping quickly and I can be up with the leaders tomorrow.”

Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini RC211V) took his wailing V5 to the final top ten spot, making it six Hondas in the top ten places. His troubles with the wind were more pronounced than most other riders’, simply due to his physique.

“I had great difficulty to ride in this wind,” said the small and slightly-build Kato. “In some points it moves the bike around and I have to use my maximum strength to hold it because I am very light. It is not my favourite way to ride…”

Wild card rider Shinichi Itoh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500), was up in fifth spot at one stage, ending his one-off race qualifying 13th out of 22 after the last 20 minutes of the session saw much movement in the combined qualifying sheets.

Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500) ran out 18th, not being able to stay at the qualifying pace of some other Dunlop runners.

Like many other riders Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) struggled in the gusty winds that plagued qualifying, and had other factors to overcome to go ninth on the grid.

“I am not so happy because I did not improve on my first qualifying time,” said Rolfo. “We had a small technical problem on my number one bike. My team fixed it so that I could ride ‘my’ bike again in the final session, but we lost some time.”

Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) finally improved his first day qualifying time to go 11th fastest on his works machine, 1.883 seconds from pole.

“We had a lot of problems with the front pushing and that held back our times,” stated the former 125cc World Champion.

Splitting the Fortuna NSRs, young Brit Leon Haslam qualified an excellent tenth, using high corner speed to make up time on his production RS250R/W against the faster factory machines.

Haruchika Aoki (DeGraaf Grand Prix Team Honda RS250R/W) took a top 15 finish on his evolution spec machine, with Haslam’s team-mate Jason Vincent (By Queroseno Racing Honda RS250R/W) 17th. Jakub Smrz (DeGraaf Grand Prix Team Honda RS250R/W) was the final Honda qualifier, 22nd out of the 25 riders that made it to the grid.

Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R), close to a front row start on day one, ended his qualifying sessions in tenth place, earning a third row start, much to his chagrin as he races to keep his slender championship hopes alive in the last two races of the year.

He was plainly unhappy with his lot after practice, especially as a short fall of rain robbed all the riders of some vital time at the beginning of the qualifying session.

“I can’t be happy with that qualifying without any doubt the worst of the season,” said the disappointed Spaniard. “This position is not correct for me; my worst start for more than a year. I can’t pin down the problem exactly; it’s a sum of different problems. The bike wouldn’t go where I wanted it to go, and I couldn’t do any more. I was bouncing a lot in the fast corners, which is precisely where you make a good lap time. Instead I had to back off the throttle. I am confident we will find an improvement in warm-up tomorrow, so I am able to make a good race.”

Joan Olive (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) will start the 125 race from the outside of the fourth row, taking 16th fastest time overall.

“The rain at the start of the session ruined all our plans,” explained Olive.” I had a good tyre, with just one lap on it, so we decided to stick
with it until the closing stages. When I started to improve I got tied up in a big group that prevented me from getting a better time. My bike is much better overall than yesterday, and I think our settings are good for tomorrow.”

The top qualifying Honda rider proved to be Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS125R), one place ahead of Pedrosa in ninth, and two places ahead of flying Finn Mika Kallio (Red Devil Honda RS125R). Masao Azuma (Tribe by Breil Honda RS125R) rode to 17th, Gabor Talmacsi (PEV
Moto ADAC Sachsen Honda RS125R) to the last position in the top 20.

And one last thing, from Desiree Crossman, on the scene with John Hopkins:

Well the weather held up today for MotoGP, but it was still very windy and cold, though the sun stayed out with some scattered clouds.

It’s a 2-stroke first row with Jeremy McWilliams taking pole, then Gaz, Nobu Aoki, and Jurgen Vd Goorbergh. Gaz had pole in the last minute but Jeremy snatched it. It was a good session. The four strokes are on the second row, Barros, Ukawa, Rossi, and then Biaggi.

John had a good session, too. He was 21st until about 4 minutes to go and then he jumped to 11th. He pulled into the garage with around 2 minutes to go and was dropped down to 14th. We are all very happy, though. It was good. John jumped alot of places and Gaz stayed on the top.

That’s all I have to say. Abe crashed out in the first session and was taken to the hospital. We don’t know if he’s alright because it was pretty bad. It’s his first time on the 4-stroke so I’m sure that was part of the reason.

A good day down under with a great Aussie crowd. Alot of people.

Des

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s MotoGP Qualifying Times:

1. Alex Barros, Honda RC211V, 1:33.002
2. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.152
3. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:33.215
4. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:33.314
5. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:33.411
6. Daijiro Kato, Honda RC211V, 1:33.427
7. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:33.542
8. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:33.586
9. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:33.773
10. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:33.804
11. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:33.979
12. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:34.215
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:34.304
14. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:34.345
15. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki ZX-RR, 1:34.415
16. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, 1:34.447
17. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:34.508
18. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:34.530
19. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:35.092
20. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:35.317
21. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:35.411
22. Shinichi Itoh, Honda, 1:35.742

From a press release issued by Paul Farmer and appearing on the official HM Plant Ducati website:<

Walker joins the walking wounded

HM Plant Ducati’s new signing Chris Walker has been injured in a Supermoto crash in Belgium. The Nottingham rider was competing in a race meeting at Mettet, when he suffered a painful injury as a result of his collision with a tyre wall.

The impact was on the entry to a left-hand turn, where Walker was unfortunate to tangle his left foot in a tyre wall. The force twisted his ankle so severely that he has been diagnosed with a broken ankle bone and tibia.

“The circumstances behind this crash remain unclear,” explained HM Plant Ducati Team Manager Colin Wright. “However, I have consulted with the medical team dealing with his injuries and they have assured me that he will be available to ride in the next four to six weeks.

“Chris is a fighter and I know him well enough to say that it won’t affect him that much as we prepare for our pre-season test schedule. So, if everything goes according to plan, he’ll be making his debut on the HM Plant Ducati in December.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Phillip Island will host the Australian Endurance Championship Phillip Island 1000 on February 21-23, 2003.

The event will be limited to 57 starters, with a Le Mans-style start and will run for 225 laps (1000 kilometers/620 miles) or 7 hours, whichever comes first.

There will be three classes: Production Superbike, Supersport and Superstock. Teams must have at least two and no more than three riders.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning 600cc Sportbike Practice Times:

1. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:54.593
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:55.787
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:55.918
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:55.967
5. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:55.989
6. Jeff Wood, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:56.001
7. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:56.048
8. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:56.901
9. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:57.651
10. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:57.716
11. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:57.733
12. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:58.069
13. Carlo Gagliardo, 1:58.730
14. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:59.092
15. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:59.275
16. Raymond Bowman, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:59.321
17. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:59.335
18. Jeff Williams, 1:59.378
19. Darrin Marshall, 1:59.471
20. Cory West, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:59.745

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Times:

1. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:34.507
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:34.599
3. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:34.773
4. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:34.806
5. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:34.813
6. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:35.242
7. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:35.509
8. Jaroslav Hules, Yamaha, 1:35.777
9. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:35.817
10. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:36.021
11. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:36.095
12. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:36.156
13. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:36.266
14. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:36.486
15. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 1:36.852

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:33.660
2. Alex Barros, Honda RC211V, 1:33.796
3. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:34.271
4. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:34.354
5. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:34.393
6. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:34.442
7. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:34.593
8. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:34.608
9. Daijiro Kato, Honda RC211V, 1:34.713
10. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:34.758
11. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:34.865
12. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:34.911
13. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:35.056
14. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:35.321
15. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:35.433
16. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki ZX-RR, 1:35.619
17. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:35.827
18. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:36.065
19. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, 1:36.572
20. Shinichi Itoh, Honda, 1:36.597
21. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:37.070
22. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:37.371

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday 125cc GP Qualifying Times:

1. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:38.926
2. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:38.932
3. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:39.479
4. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:39.552
5. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:39.848
6. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 1:40.057
7. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 1:40.063
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:40.134
9. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:40.239
10. Masao Azuma, Honda, 1:40.660

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning F-USA Unlimited Superbike Practice Times:

1. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.028
2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.187
3. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.338
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.020
5. Michael Himmelsbach, Aprilia RSV1000R, 1:53.359
6. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.366
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.079
8. Shawn Conrad, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:54.477
9. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.647
10. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.849
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:55.026
12. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.220
13. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.676
14. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.784
15. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.338
16. Larry Denning, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:56.348
17. Des Conboy, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.492
18. Anthony Fania, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.645
19. John Madden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.063
20. John Ashmead, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.848

From a press release issued by Red Bull Yamaha:

McCOY HOT AT HOME

Australian Garry McCoy took to the fast flowing, 4.448km Phillip Island track today eager to give it all in front of his home crowd. On a track that McCoy knows better than most, the 30-year-old was in dazzling form on his two-stroke YZR 500.

Setting a qualifying time today of 1.33.152, McCoy claimed second position, on the front row of the provisional grid for the 15th and penultimate round of the Moto GP World Championship.

In this afternoon’s blustery conditions “The Slide King” moved his YZR500 onto provisional pole for the majority of the closing half of the hour-long session. In similar conditions in 2000 in wind-swept Portugal, McCoy won that GP, so perhaps this is an indicator that Garry thrives in these, less-than-ideal conditions.

In-form Honda 4-stroke rider Alex Barros, winner of the Pacific GP two weeks ago and third in last week’s Malaysian GP, pipped McCoy at the post on his last flying lap to claim provisional pole. Just a year ago, McCoy secured provisional pole at the Australian GP with a time of 1.34.104. His time today is a massive 1.052 seconds faster than last year.

With 13 four strokes on the grid, McCoy and Hopkins find themselves now in the minority group of 9 riders on the, soon-to-be-extinct two-stroke machinery, which today claimed 3 of the top 4 positions.

Teammate to McCoy, American John Hopkins struggled in the increasingly gusty conditions at this picturesque seaside circuit. This is Hopper’s first visit to Phillip Island and to Australia, and he is focusing on learning the track.

GARRY McCOY ­ 2nd 1:33.152

“I am pretty happy with the result today and being at home and knowing the track has given me some advantage in these really windy conditions. The wind is inconsistent and incredibly strong, stronger than anything I have raced in all year and a bit like Portugal in 2000. You never know here what the weather will do, it could be raining tomorrow so I had that in my mind and I really wanted to give it a big effort today. I felt I could have even gone a bit quicker in that last session. The tyres are working pretty good in the cooler conditions and it’s an ideal day today, to be running Dunlops.”

JOHN HOPKINS ­ 21st 1:35.411

“I’m feeling good on the bike and although the position today is not what I want, I know I can improve again tomorrow and have a competitive set-up for the race. I took about 2 seconds off my practice time from this morning and with some more time on the track tomorrow I know I can move further up the grid. I really like the track, but it’s tough to learn the lines when the wind just blows you off line. The Dunlops are working well in these cooler conditions, so all I need now is some time on the track.”

PETER CLIFFORD ­ DIRECTOR OF RACING

“That’s the real McCoy. A fantastic performance and something that we knew he was capable of all year. It’s just such a shame that injury ruined such a large proportion of it.

“Another intelligent ride from John for his first time on what is a technical and difficult circuit.”


More, from a press release from Yamaha:

The opening qualifier for the Australian MotoGP, held at Phillip Island on October 18, was well on its way to being a two-stroke upset with Garry McCoy (Red Bull Yamaha WCM) topping the time sheets on more than one occasion aboard the Yamaha YZR500. The Australian, who eventually clocked a 1:33.152 in gusty conditions, took provisional pole ahead of two-stroke mounted Jeremy McWilliams (KR, 1:33.215) and Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Honda, 1:33.314), looked set to hold station, until a last-lap dash by Alex Barros (Honda, 1:33.002). The four-stroke mounted Brazilian found another 0.150 seconds on his 29th lap to take over from where McCoy left off, but still lapped well shy of the circuit best ever lap – a 1:31.984 set by Max Biaggi (Marlboro Yamaha Team) last year.

The YZR-M1 mounted Roman completed the second row, in eighth, with a 1:33.586; qualifying behind fifth placed Valentino Rossi (Honda, 1:33.411), Daijiro Kato (Honda, 1:33.427) and Tohru Ukawa (Honda, 1:33.542) – the wind strangely wreaking havoc on the heavier machines more so than the lighter 500s. For Biaggi’s teammate Carlos Checa it was a similar story; the unpredictable conditions preventing him from finding a base set-up he felt comfortable with. It left the Spaniard 17th on the grid with a 1:34.508.

Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3 teammates Olivier Jacque (1:34.215) and Shinya Nakano (1:34.304) came in 12th and 13th respectively, while the latest Yamaha four-stroke debutant, Norick Abe (Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin, 1:35.317), qualified 20th on the grid.

Red Bull Yamaha WCM
Garry McCoy 2nd, 1:33.152: “The wind is really inconsistent out there. It feels like it’s blowing from different directions each time you come around the same corner, making it difficult to do a fast time or develop the bike set-up. You’ve really just got to grit your teeth and go for it! Second place is better than I expected on the 500, although it looks to me as though the four-strokes a suffering more in the wind, which is strange considering they’re heavier. They do seem to have an advantage, though, through the fast left and coming onto the front straight, but that’s about it. I guess it’s because the straights aren’t that long here and you’re always trying to change direction while on the power. We tested a new rear race Dunlop, which has a new profile, and it worked well. And with the support of the crowd I think it’ll be a good weekend.”

John Hopkins 21st, 1:35.411: “It’s a good circuit, but it’s a difficult one to learn, and the wind certainly isn’t helping me in that regard. Even so we’ve made some big improvements from this morning, and I’m sure we’ll keep improving throughout tomorrow. The tyres are working well, but right now it’s more about learning the limits of the track than the bike.”

Marlboro Yamaha Team
Max Biaggi 8th, 1:33.586: “The wind really knocks the rider and bike around, so it’s difficult to tell whether the small changes we keep making to the set-up are actually working. The job of perfecting settings is a question of very precise feelings, and the wind doesn’t allow you to feel so much, so it’s hard to tell whether a change is positive or negative. Anyway, I gave my best today and we still have tomorrow in which to improve. We’ve already made the bike better since this morning’s session, so I’m not really worried. I just hope it doesn’t rain.”

Carlos Checa 17th, 1:34.508: “That wasn’t the best of days for us. We obviously need to make a few adjustments, but these windy conditions aren’t helping us. It’s difficult to feel exactly what’s going on with the bike, and it’s also difficult to ride consistently, because the wind really hits you in different places at different times. I will now sit down with Antonio (Jimenez, Checa’s crew chief) and the rest of my guys and get some solutions worked out.”

Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3
Olivier Jacque 12th, 1:34.215: “I have to say that this morning was a real disaster for me, but thankfully things have improved in the qualifier. I was a little worried about the rest of the weekend up until then, but now I think we have a good base and we can develop it from there. The four-stroke is good around here but with the high speed corners and the short straights it’s not as big an advantage as at a circuit like Sepang. There is no shortcut when learning to ride a new bike like this, it’s about working your way through everything without falling down, and that takes time.”

Shinya Nakano 13th, 1:34.304: “Things started off a little difficult, but now we’ve made some progress. Before the end of the session we changed the rear shock to help improve the turn-in character and tractability, which seems to have worked. We’ll take this further tomorrow and hopefully it’ll be a little better again. The difficulty is coming here without any data to go on; it’s all-new for me and the team, but I’m confident.”

Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin
José Luis Cardoso 16th, 1:34.447: “Riding in those conditions is always difficult. Everybody is in the same boat, sure, but it makes setting up the bike difficult because you can’t tell if it’s the set-up that is running you wide or the wind, or a combination of the two. One lap you’re one second faster and then the next your one second slower, and you’re not really sure why. But even so, I think we’re heading in the right direction and the time is not too bad, but it would be better if tomorrow the weather is a little easier on us.”

Norick Abe 20th, 1:35.317: “It’s a big difference between the 500 and the four-stroke, especially with the engine braking. Acceleration and top speed is good, but it is completely different character to ride. Surely it will get better, but it’s smarter to go step by step than rush in like a fool. At the moment we’re setting up the bike so that I feel comfortable, we’re getting the engine braking dialed in to suit me and my style of riding, as well as the base chassis set-up.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Telefonica Movistar Suzuki:

SUZUKI MEN RIDE THE WINDS AT PHILLIP ISLAND

MotoGP, Round 15, First Qualifying, Phillip Island, Australia – Friday, October 18, 2002:
TEAM Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and Sete Gibernau were 14th and 18th in today’s first qualifying session for Sunday’s Australian GP, battling blustery sea breezes that complicated conditions at one of the most technically difficult and spectacular circuits on the GP calendar.

Both riders were disappointed with the positions after a day of hard work had not born fruit. As a result, they failed to maintain their rightful places in spite of the fact that times were generally fairly slow, and still short of Kenny’s own lap record of the 4.448km circuit, south of the Victoria state capital of Melbourne.

The new-this-year four-stroke 990cc V4 Suzuki GSV-R was suffering from cornering instability caused entirely by winds of more than 50km/h, getting under the leaning motorcycle and generating lift that made it hard for the riders to achieve the accurate lines that are so vital to a quick lap of this fast and highly technical circuit.

One more day of qualifying remains before Sunday’s race, with the chance to redress the balance, particularly if the windy conditions improve. On the other hand, rain tomorrow could entrench today’s times, in which case the Suzuki men would start from the fourth and fifth rows of the starting grid.

The Australian GP is the last in a trio of flyaway events, with a single race remaining in Valencia to close the first ever MotoGP season, open to 990cc four-strokes as well as 500cc two-strokes.

KENNY ROBERTS – 14th Position, 1:34.345
“I’m obviously disappointed about where we’re at, because we’re not at the limit of the tyres or even the limit of the bike. It’s the wind that’s setting our pace, and it’s been a problem for us here since 1999. The wind affects everyone, but for some reason it seems to affect us more. In a straight line I can’t keep the weight on the front, and when the bike is leaned over the wind gets underneath it. I wasn’t complaining about anything else in that session, but the bike is shaking its head out of the turns. Firstly this track is notorious for the wind, and secondly we need to test the bike in a wind tunnel, when it’s leaned over with the throttle open.”

SETE GIBERNAU – 18th Position, 1:34.530
“I have to thank my team for their hard work today, and they have found some things that helped me. But I’m still having the same difficulties with the back sliding going into the corners, and we’re just working round the problem rather than solving it. I went out with a hard race tyre and going into Turn Two the rear started sliding and I went off the track. I didn’t fall, but I couldn’t restart the engine so I had to park my better bike and switch to my spare, which wasn’t set to the best. There’s no way Kenny and I should be down in the teens. I think we’re both riding better than that. I just hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow, so we have a chance to improve our positions.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Proton KR:

Protons Challenge for Pole at Phillip Island

Both riders put in a strong bid for the front row

Jeremy McWilliams: Third, 1:33.215
Nobuatsu Aoki: Ninth, 1:33.773

Both Proton Team KR riders put in a strong bid for the front row of the grid at today’s first day of practice for Sunday’s Australian GP. The fast and technical Phillip Island gave Jeremy McWilliams and Nobuatsu Aoki the chance to exploit the high corner speed achieved by the nimble three-cylinder 500cc two-stroke Proton KR3 – and they made the most of it.

At one stage ten minutes before the end of the hour-long first qualifying session, the Protons were second and third in overall times, and though the end-of-session rush saw more riders match the pace, McWilliams was able to join in the general improvement and hang on to third, while Aoki was thwarted only by a slower rider on his own fast lap, dropping to the provisional third row of the grid.

The Proton KR3 is up against more powerful four-cylinder two-strokes and the new-generation 990cc four-strokes, which are more powerful again. In spite of a top speed deficit of 23km/h compared with the fastest four-stroke, the fast curves of the 4.448km circuit south of Melbourne saw both Protons regaining lost ground hand over fist.

Today’s practice took place in stiff winds of more than 50km/h, which had been expected to exact a greater toll on the KR3, which is significantly the lightest bike on the grid. As it transpired the riders were not troubled as much as had been feared – although stiller conditions might favour them even more.

There are two more hour-long sessions tomorrow before Sunday’s race, the 15th of 16 rounds in the MotoGP world championship. Next season, Proton Team KR will be fielding their own V5 990cc four-stroke for the same pair of riders.

Jeremy McWilliams
“I thought I might have ended up on pole today. The bike set-up is good, but I was getting one good lap then one not so good, instead of a good consistent run . My only problem is deciding on the race tyre which will work on all the left-handers as well as the pair of right-handers. I’m pretty sure I can stay on the front row. The bike obviously suits the track, and I’ve been looking forward to this event and building myself up all season. I love this track, and it’s twice as nice when the wind drops.”

Nobuatsu Aoki
“I was pretty happy all session, but on my fast lap at the end I got blocked so I wasn’t able to improve my time. This practice is better than usual for me; usually I am not so high up. We haven’t made many changes to the chassis just made the front softer than Sepang, and a couple of small changes in the morning. I was trying a different suspension link on one bike, and though I didn’t like it at first, as I got used to it it seemed to help a lot on the fast corners, and I can make up a lot of time especially out of the last corner onto the straight, which helps our speed all the way. Now we need to get it a bit better on the slower corners.”

Kenny Roberts- Team Owner
“The Bridgestone tyres are working very well here, and this track has always liked our bike because of the fast corners. There are only a couple of slow turns, and they run into other corners, so acceleration is not at such a premium. The wind is affecting everybody, but you would think it would hurt the lighter bikes more, and Jeremy said it is costing him at least a second. That remains to be seen, but if the wind dies away tomorrow, that could help us even more.”


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Laconi 11th in blustery wind at Phillip Island

In the strong gusts of wind that have been sweeping across the Phillip Island circuit, Régis Laconi had made 3rd quickest time 25 minutes before the end of the qualifying round. From that moment on, Régis worked in crescendo, attempting to improve even further. The Phillip Island circuit is particularly favourable to the Italian-French Aprilia rider who started 3rd in 2000. Six minutes from the end, Régis and the Cube improved their fast lap time and the clock stopped at 1:33.979, 11th quickest time, 0.977 from Barros’s provisional pole.

# 55 Regis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 11th – 1:33.979

“It must be said, I have a weakness for this track, I love it, even though today the wind’s really strong on the part that looks out over the sea. Each lap it’s different so you never know if it’ll be like before or much stronger. If you’re on race tyres, you can always try to improve the next time round, but on qualifying tyres you’ve got no choice – it’s make or break. I’m pretty satisfied with the bike: work’s going well and now we just need to test the tyres out well. We still haven’t found the definitive solution as I haven’t got all the grip I need at the rear. In terms of the final settings, I think we should be able to improve things a bit more. It’s tough riding the bike in this wind and in a number of sections around the track it’s a real strain on the arms trying to battle against it. We’ve still got time to improve tomorrow and work out the final details, so I’m feeling confident we can get a good result.”


More, from a press release issued by West Honda Pons:

Alex Barros celebrates his birthday with the pole position
10/18/2002 – Australian Grand Prix

After the excellent performances from the West Honda Pons team in the last two races, everyone is expecting the good run of form to continue this weekend at Phillip Island where the penultimate race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, takes place this weekend. The spectacular track, situated by the sea some 150 kilometres to the south of Melbourne, is the scene of the third consecutive race overseas before the MotoGP World Championship returns to Europe for the closing race of the season on November 3rd in Valencia. The West Honda Pons members arrived in Phillip Island full of optimism. Firstly, the excellent results of Alex Barros in Motegi and Sepang have made the Brazilian one of the hot favourites for the race victory and secondly, the characteristics of this track gives Loris Capirossi more of a chance on his Honda NSR500 than at the Sepang circuit. Loris Capirossi, who won the 125cc race in 1990 at this circuit, and in doing so became the youngest world champion in the history of the Championship, has scored a podium-finish here during the last two seasons. Alex Barros has finished fourth in three of his last four outings here and he is looking again to finish on the podium. Today he made a great start. On his thirty-second birthday the Brazilian West Honda Pons rider grabbed the provisional pole, demonstrating just how well he has adapted to the Honda RC211V and what good form he is in.

Alex Barros (1st):
“I could have gone even faster because the wind was troubling me a lot. It was difficult to open the throttle on the exit of the corner because the wind was making it unstable. In these conditions the two-strokes have gone better and the two-stroke riders have put in good performances. The team has worked very well on the bike settings and on the suspension and I have had fewer problems with settings than on the first day in Motegi or Sepang. I have worked a lot with tyres because at this circuit it is critical due to the temperatures. I am on pole and it is definitely the best birthday present anyone could have given me”.

Loris Capirossi (10th):
“I am a little disappointed because the wind caused me a lot more problems than for other riders. I am not too worried because if the weather conditions change tomorrow I can go much faster. The differences with the four-strokes are not great here as they were in Sepang and I am optimistic for tomorrow”.

Sito Pons:
“I am very optimistic because both Alex and Loris can be very competitive here. It is clear that the two-stroke bikes have more of a chance than in the previous race and I think Loris can be much closer to Alex. The strong wind has affected the day’s qualifying, but in spite of the conditions the riders have lapped quickly and Alex has been able to grab pole position once again”.