Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc GP Race Results:

1. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 21 laps, 40:42.759
2. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, -0.258 second
3. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, -0.720 second
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, -1.464 seconds
5. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, -1.718 seconds
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, -8.606 seconds
7. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, -11.864 seconds
8. Roberto Rolfo, Honda,-17.248 seconds
9. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, -28.481 seconds
10. David Checa, Aprilia, -28.490 seconds
11. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, -32.113 seconds
12. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, -34.770 seconds
13. Vincent Philippe, Aprilia, -51.837 seconds
14. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -51.912 seconds
15. Jay Vincent, Honda, -52.393 seconds
16. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, -57.112 seconds
17. Raul Jara, Aprilia, -57.198 seconds
18. Leon Haslam, Honda, -57.737 seconds
19. Alex Debon, Aprilia, -1 lap, DNF, mechanical
20. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, -3 laps, DNF, crash
21. Jarno Janssen, Honda, -19 laps, DNF, mechanical
22. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, -19 laps, DNF, mechanical
23. Taro Sekiguchi, Yamaha, -20 laps, DNF, crash


More, from an Aprilia press release:

Marco “Spiderman” Melandri wins Italian Grand Prix.

Six Aprilia 250s make top six places.


Spiderman wins at Mugello: Macio victorious for the second time this season, with his third win in the 250 class. An all-Aprilia podium at Mugello, just like in 1998 and 2001.

Marco Melandri, once again in Spiderman guise, got off to a good start and rode a good, effective race and total concentration ensured he got the better of his opponents. He appeared to be keeping things under control throughout the race, and upped the pace every time he took the lead. But that was not all: by using every centimetre of the track, he was able to adopt more effective trajectories. Today’s win is a good indication of the determination of the Ravenna-born Spiderman. And it puts him back in the running for the world title. Macio moves up to second place, just 15 points behind Nieto.


Marco Melandri # 3 (MS APRILIA RACING) – 1st – 40:42.759


“I made a good start and then rode my race: the battle for the lead showed me I could go faster and, towards the end, I could see that my mid-curve speed was good so I could come out faster than the others. I realised it was time to up the pace and go for victory. This win comes at the end of an important week which has restored all the good feeling I needed with my group to make top spot on the podium. I was really pleased to hear the words of President Beggio before I got onto my bike for the start of the race: he told me just to relax, to take it easy and enjoy myself – all I had to do was ride my race. He made me feel really calm. And that’s what I did: I just rode my own race. A victory for Aprilia, and for all those who work to make it competitive. I represent them on the track, so it’s a victory for all of them, and for me as well.”


Marco Melandri

10 Wins (3 – 250) (7 – 125)

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc GP Race Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 20 laps, 40:20.019
2. Youichi Ui, Derbi, -0.507 second
3. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, -0.512 second
4. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, -0.572 second
5. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, -0.675 second
6. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, -0.980 second
7. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, -2.071 seconds
8. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, -2.072 seconds
9. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, -2.209 seconds
10. Andrea Ballerini, Honda, -2.255 seconds

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Eric Bostrom put his Kawasaki ZX-7RR out front and ran away with the Superbike race at Pikes Peak International Raceway Sunday.

Aaron Yates, who had to come in for a stop-and-go penalty for jumping the start, caught and passed Mladin for third on about lap 39 of 48, then caught and passed Hacking for second on the last lap.

Bostrom lapped fifth-place Miguel Duhamel, who crashed and restarted, and sixth-place Pascal Piccotte, who faded.

Mat Mladin initially ran second, but just past the halfway point, Mladin’s rear tire was visibly shredded on the left side, Mladin starting to baby the tire and waving Jamie Hacking past. Mladin ended up fourth.

Nicky Hayden lost the front end and crashed while running third early on and his RC51 Honda briefly caught fire.

Duhamel lost the front end and crashed his RC51 while running fourth on lap 37 of 48, but picked the bike up and continued in the race, regaining the track in sixth and running down fading Picotte.

Doug Chandler pitted while running fifth, gaining on Duhamel, when his bike stumbled and lost power with what may be a fuel system problem.

Results
1. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki
3. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki
4. Mat Mladin, Suzuki
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, -1 lap
6. Pascal Picotte, Ducati, -1 lap
7. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, -1 lap
8. Ricky Orlando, Suzuki, -1 lap
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, -2 laps
10. Brian Livengood, Suzuki, -2 laps
11. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki, -2 laps
12. Mike Sullivan, Honda, -2 laps
13. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, -2 laps
14. Marco Martinez, Suzuki, -2 laps
15. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, -2 laps
16. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, -2 laps
17. Shane Clarke, Suzuki, -2 laps
18. Scott Jensen, Suzuki, -2 laps
19. Rob Christman, Suzuki, -3 laps
20. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki, -3 laps
21. James Compton, Suzuki, -3 laps
22. Shane Prieto, Suzuki, -3 laps
23. Justin Blake, Suzuki, -3 laps
24. Giovanni Rojas, Suzuki, -7 laps
25. John Dugan, Suzuki, -9 laps
26. Michael Hanley, Suzuki, -11 laps
27. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki, -12 laps
28. Jeff Purk DDS, Suzuki, -13 laps
29. Doug Chandler, Ducati, -18 laps, DNF, mechanical
30. Colin Gilbert, Suzuki, -30 laps, DNF
31. Ty Howard, Suzuki, -31 laps, DNF
32. Nicky Hayden, Honda, -33 laps, DNF, crashed
33. Jake Holden, Suzuki, -33 laps, DNF
34. Tom Wertman, Suzuki, -34 laps, DNF
35. John Haner, Suzuki, -40 laps, DNF

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing issued the following press release:

Erion Racing’s Roger Lee Hayden filed a visual protest of the main frame of the #6 Formula Xtreme machine.

After an inspection of the frame in question, AMA Road Race Manager Ron Barrick determined that the frame in question complies with the Formula Xtreme frame requirements.

Graves Motorsports team owner Chuck Graves said Sunday morning he knew of no protests filed against Buckmaster’s bike, but added that when five different teams filed protests against Buckmaster’s previous Formula Xtreme machine at California Speedway, he wasn’t informed officially by AMA officials. “They told me that they needed to keep the bike for a little longer at tech,” said Graves.

From a HMC Ducati press release:

Qualifying Report: AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Round 5

Date: June 1, 2002

Circuit: Pikes Peak Raceway, Colorado

HMC Ducati rider Doug Chandler completed today’s final qualifying session in seventh position, setting his fastest time on race tires, choosing not to run a hot lap on a qualifier. The Californian is still recovering from injuries sustained in a crash during last round’s qualifying session at Road Atlanta and admits he is having some difficulties with muscle tightness, which is restricting his movement on the bike.

The scorching heat, that has been ever present this race weekend, was replaced by high winds, towards the end of the today’s qualifying session, catching the riders as they entered turn two. The heat will return for tomorrow with predicted temperatures in the 90s.

“I thought we did well considering we didn’t use a qualifier and I’m not 100%,” smiled Chandler. “There’s more discomfort than pain but it’s still slowing my movement on the bike, which is important at this track. Yesterday was spent getting me comfortable on the bike after the crash and today we focused on bike set-up. We’re still not completely there but we have time tomorrow morning to try a few things and get the bike ready for the race.

“I really thought we had a good chance of finishing on the front row but tomorrow’s a long race and the times seem fairly close (0.64 seconds between seventh and pole). It should be competitive for the first part, until we get into the traffic. Hopefully we’ll have our game plan worked out early enough.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:52.563
2. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:52.566
3. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.620
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.953
5. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:53.079
6. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:53.175
7. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:53.276
8. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:53.395
9. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:53.685
10. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.694
11. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:53.758
12. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:53.773
13. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.980
14. Nobuatsu Aoki, PRoton KR3, 1:54.027
15. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:54.283
16. Shinya Nakana, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.339
17. Jean Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.388
18. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:54.464
19. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.494
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:55.768

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday 125cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:59.369
2. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:59.409
3. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:59.536
4. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:59.738
5. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:59.781
6. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 2:00.014
7. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:00.020
8. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 2:00.190
9. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 2:00.384
10. Youchi Ui, Derbi, 2:00.602

From a press release:

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, MUGELLO
Final Qualifying, Saturday June 1 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA MEN IN THE HEAT OF THE BATTLE

Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa qualified second and third fastest in this afternoon’s stiflingly hot final qualifying session at Mugello, the second successive race for which the pair have both qualified in the top three. And Checa, who took provisional pole position in yesterday ‘s opening session, would almost certainly have done better if his number-one bike hadn’t suffered a problem during this afternoon’s final outing.

Following improvements to the YZR-M1’s engine-braking system for last month’s French GP, the bike’s performance has been further improved here with a new chassis that allows Biaggi and Checa to attack corners at a higher speed.

“The most important things are that Max and Carlos stayed on the front row and that we are making the bike better, race by race,” said Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio. “Max’s last run was very impressive, he kept going rather than stop for new tyres and he was on pole for a few minutes before Rossi went quickest. Carlos’ bike had an electrical problem, but we couldn’t solve it during session, even though we changed some of the software and some parts. I’d like to apologise to Carlos. The technicians are now looking into the problem so that we can fix it for tomorrow and then I think both riders will be able to ride an interesting race.”

BIAGGI FASTEST FOR A MOMENT
This afternoon’s final session was run in strength- and performance-sapping 32-degree (C) heat, so it wasn’t until the closing stages that riders began to beat yesterday’s times. Marlboro Yamaha Team man Max Biaggi was the first to dislodge team-mate Carlos Checa from pole when he went quickest with three minutes to go. He stayed there until Valentino Rossi (Honda) bettered his time.

“We’ve been working towards the race, rather than just going for one-off times, so I know I can ride a good race tomorrow,” said Biaggi, who was also second yesterday, behind Checa. “It’ll be a hard race but I’m much happier with the bike now and I’m enjoying myself much more. The set-up we’ve got with the new chassis is okay, though we’re not seeing the full benefits of it just yet. We need to work on the settings some more, so next week’s test at Valencia will be very important.”

CHECA’S CHARGE BLUNTED BY PROBLEM
Fastest yesterday, Carlos Checa had every hope of securing his first-ever MotoGP pole position today, until his number-one bike struck a problem at the very beginning of this afternoon’s crucial final qualifier. In normal circumstances this wouldn’t have been a problem, the Marlboro Yamaha Team rider would simply have switched to his second bike, which would’ve featured a near identical set-up. But Checa and Biaggi were equipped with one new chassis apiece yesterday, which they tried for the first time in morning practice and immediately liked. Since then both men have used the new chassis exclusively because it offers better steering and handling, so when Checa switched to his number-two machine, he wasn’t able to match yesterday’s stunning performance.

“It was annoying to run into this trouble in final qualifying but at least we’re still on the front row,” said Checa. “The bike was good yesterday, so we left the set-up basically the same, but it wasn’t running right from the beginning of the session. I came back to the pits and took my other bike which didn’t give me such a good feeling. We made some changes but I only had a few laps left and couldn’t improve my time. I hope the guys can fix things for the race, and if they can, I think we can look towards a podium finish.”

ROSSI GRABS POLE AT LAST GASP
Valentino Rossi tried hard all session to better the Marlboro Yamaha men, snatching pole from Max Biaggi on his very last lap. “Basically, the Yamahas seem to be at the same level as us now, so it was a difficult session,” said Rossi, third yesterday. “We’ve had some problems here, we’ve fixed some of them but still have more work to do. Tomorrow won’t be easy.”

Rossi’s team-mate Tohru Ukawa became the fastest bike racer in history when he clocked 322.3kmh on Mugello’s 1.14km uphill main straight during final qualifying. In imperial figures that’s 200.27 mph, surpassing the magic ‘double ton’.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing issued this medical status update at about 11:15 a.m. on Sunday:

“Ty Howard is currently undergoing surgery for a fractured hip. Update later today.

“James Davis is still under observation. Update later today.”