Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This report on the further MotoGP adventures of John “Hopper” Hopkins just in, from Desiree Crossman:

The crowd was completely out of control. As soon
as Rossi passed the checkered flag, they ran on the track while riders were still crossing the finish line. Rossi was getting swarmed by hundreds maybe thousands of people, he couldn’t ride his cool-down lap because they were coming from all over the place. Rossi ran over John’s leg trying to get away and apparently they yanked Norick Abe off his bike and started grabbing his
gear.

John actually hit a fan while trying to get away. The last riders to pass the finish line were another minute behind the rest of the pack due to the fans running out on the race track. We had to close the garage doors as soon as possible because there were people everywhere.



More Mugello And IOM news, from a Suzuki press release:

Team Suzuki News Service

SUZUKI WINS TT AND SMASHES LAP RECORD

Race Result, Isle of Man Formula One TT, Saturday, June 1st:

SUZUKI’S David Jefferies won the Formula One TT and smashed the lap record in the process.

The Yorkshireman, riding a GSX-R1000 for the Tas team, took his seventh and fastest TT victory in style. It was also the Suzuki GSX-R1000’s competitive debut at the world famous Isle of Man TT races. Jefferies won the 226.38 mile race comfortably. He recorded a fastest lap of 17minutes 52.2seconds around the 37.73-mile long Mountain course for an average speed of 126.68mph. That adds nearly a full 1mph to the lap record that Jefferies previously owned at 125.69mph and 18minutes 00.6seconds.

It looks as though he might add to his tally of TT wins through the week as well. During practice, he set a new fastest lap of 124.68mph on his production GSX-R1000, shaving half-a-minute from the existing lap record, to be favourite for that race. The current lap record is 121.32mph.

SUZUKI RIDERS STAY ON TO TEST

MotoGP, Race Result, Mugello – Sunday, June 2, 2002:

TEAM Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr and Sete Gibernau both retired from today’s Italian GP with no more points to add to their championship scores. Both riders will be staying on at the Italian track to test the GSV-R as part of its on-going development programme.

The race was watched by 65,000 passionate Italian fans basking in 30-degree heat and blazing sunshine. It was won by defending champion Valentino Rossi, from fellow-Italian rival Max Biaggi, with Japanese rider Tohru Ukawa third.

Team Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki will stay on at Mugello tomorrow for further tyre and machine tests – part of the continuing programme to bring the brilliant new GSV-R 990cc V4 MotoGP machine to its full potential. The Suzuki is still at an early stage of development, having been brought to the track a full year earlier than originally planned, in response to the promise showed in early tests before the season.

KENNY ROBERTS Jr.
“I started good, but I was having to push really hard and I fell because I locked the front. The same bike won today that has won the last five races, with a consistent performance all race long. It’s a good indication of the areas we need to work on. I’m determined to do that; I believe the team and the factory are equally determined, and we need to keep working until we do.”

SETE GIBERNAU
“I got a great start, but then I ran onto the grass. Luckily I didn’t fall, and I got back on the track to try again.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
“Both riders made a great start – especially Sete, considering his poor grid position. We have to give them full marks for their efforts. At this early stage of the GSV-R’s development, they both have to ride extra hard. In these circumstances, we must expect days like today. Luckily neither was hurt, and we have more tests tomorrow to continue with our high-intensity programme. The Michelin tyres did everything we expected of them today.”

From a press release:

MotoGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2002
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, MUGELLO
Race Day, Sunday June 2 2002

ROSSI ROMPS TO MAJESTIC HOME WIN
Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) took his fourth win of the 2002 season after 23 tough laps of his home circuit of Mugello. The reigning World Champion exercised faultless tactics throughout and was virtually unchallenged at the end, slowing as he pulled a celebratory wheelie over the line to take a margin of victory of 2.404 seconds from his great Italian rival Max Biaggi (Yamaha). Rossi’s team-mate Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda RC211V) finished third.

Taking the holeshot from his fifth consecutive pole position, Rossi pulled out an immediate lead but could not shake off the attentions of the closing Yamaha pairing of Carlos Checa and Biaggi. Rossi’s fellow Italian passed on lap seven and held him at bay until 11 laps remained. A determined Rossi re-asserted his authority over proceedings and soon made a gap that grew inexorably each lap, until he was over three seconds ahead in the closing stages.

Despite his eventual dominance Rossi was unconvinced that he could score an easy win, especially as he fell in warm-up and opted for a slightly softer compound rear tyre than most. “Earlier today I did not think it would turn out this way because I made a mistake and lost the front,” said Rossi of his dramatic morning crash. “I think that was my first ever career crash in warm-up, so I realised that I had to ride more sweetly than yesterday. I knew it would not be possible to do the whole race at 100% but it means a lot for me to win in front of my home fans. It’s very emotional to win again at Mugello, because I haven’t done it since 1999.”

Rossi’s win improved his table-topping position, with the Italian rider leading by 43 points from Ukawa. “My lead is better but it is a long championship and we have to concentrate for all the season,” stated Rossi post-race.

In a piece of pre-arranged theatre during the slow-down lap, two of Rossi’s friends, dressed as local policemen, stopped him in front of his massed rank of fan-club members and issued him with a speeding ticket for travelling at nearly 200 mph.

With Biaggi second, the final podium spot went to Ukawa who battled past Checa, their race-long squabble settled on the penultimate blast down the long finish straight. “There is something special about this track that I don’t like, because I usually crash or have some other bad luck,” said a relieved Ukawa, whose RCV became the fastest-ever MotoGP bike, clocking 324.5kmh in final qualifying. “It all came down the last two laps in this race and luckily we have a slight speed advantage over the Yamahas here. I got third, so that makes me happy. I am still second in the championship but there is a big gap to Valentino.”

A fighting fifth place for Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500) came at the expense of his team-mate Loris Capirossi, who had held a lonely fifth on the first few laps but was overhauled after his soft compound rear tyre had given of its best.

Barros was bullish about his chances of staying on terms with the four-strokes, if he can find an absolutely perfect race set-up “We made a good tyre choice and I knew we could complete a good race,” said the Brazilian. “We still have room for improvement and if I can solve the problems I have when entering a corner, where the bike does not turn, we can be right up at the front alongside the four-strokes. I made a great start but I got held up behind Kenny Roberts (Suzuki) and it took me a long time to pass him. The time I lost is the gap that separated me from Ukawa and Checa in the end.”

Capirossi himself was rueful of his finishing position and his choice of soft rear rubber. “That was a very difficult race, especially as I chose a soft rear tyre,” explained the 2000 season Mugello race winner. “After four laps I started to lose grip and I couldn’t do anything about it. When Barros joined me I thought about following him but I could not maintain his pace and so I decided that the best thing was to finish the race.”

Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Racing Honda NSR500) took a top-ten finish and just missed out on a higher placing by 0.331 seconds, much to his surprise. “Overall our race was not so bad,” said the former 250 World Champion. “I got caught by Olivier Jacque (Yamaha) on the last lap but I didn’t realize he was so close behind because of the signal on my lap board. The real distance back to him was less than the board said and he passed me right at the end. I am not so unhappy, however, because every weekend we are getting better.”

Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500) took 14th place and two championship points as others fell by the wayside. Track temperatures of 42°C exacerbated a problem he experienced midway through the race. “Basically I overheated the rear tyre in the first few laps and it started slipping, but I carried on to see if I could score some points. I didn’t want to stop and pull in anyway because now we can see the effect on the tyre of these high temperatures.”

Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR500) fell from his machine on lap ten of the race, while lying 11th, attempting to push into the top ten from an unaccustomedly lowly qualifying position of 16th. “Luckily there was no damage,” he said. “I didn’t have a great start because the bike reared up but I got into a good rhythm and made up a lot of places before the front went away. Definitely not a good weekend.”

Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) took a battling eighth place in a somewhat strung-out 250 GP. Having started a lowly 14th after some troubles with his set-up in qualifying, Rolfo was as good as his pre-race word and attacked the Mugello circuit from the off. “That was a difficult race but I am happy with the way I started and the way I raced,” he said. “It’s a pity we only found a solution for our set up problems today or else my starting position and the race itself would have been very different.”

Team-mate Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) had the reverse fortune, finishing 11th, but scoring some valuable points. “I didn’t start well and I had difficulty getting into a fast rhythm,” said the Spaniard, a former World Champion for Honda in the 125 class. “I had a good bike but it would have been better to have this bike from Friday. Luckily we will now test to be sure I have the best set-up for my home race in Barcelona.”

Haruchika Aoki (Arie Molenaar Racing Honda RS250R/W) was the top non-factory Honda rider, finishing just behind Alzamora in 12th. Jason Vincent (By Queroseno Racing Honda RS250R/W) scored a point for 15th place, with his fellow Briton and team-mate Leon Haslam 18th and last rider classified. Local Aprilia rider, Marco Melandri, won the race.

Sixteen-year old Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) missed out on a podium finish by only 0.060 seconds after 20-laps of stunning 125GP action. Up to sixteen riders were involved in the fight for the lead but only a handful challenged for the podium places on the final lap.

Too far behind eventual winner Manuel Poggiali (Gilera) to make any challenge, Pedrosa was slipstreaming Pablo Nieto (Aprilia) but lost his podium place after the sudden appearance of Yuichi Ui (Derbi), pulling out from his draft on the run to the flag. “All weekend we’ve been battling and we knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said Pedrosa who sits fourth in the championship, 20 points behind leader Poggiali. “The last lap was especially hard and I lost third position in the last few yards. I was able to use Nieto’s slipstream but even that wasn’t enough and Ui passed us both.”

Andrea Ballerini (FCC-TSR RS125R) was the next Honda rider home, in 10th place, but only 2.255 seconds from the winner. Masao Azuma (Liégeois Competition Honda RS125R) finished 13th, after being as high as third.

Joan Olive (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) was involved in a first-lap, three-rider crash that also claimed Mirko Giansanti (Scot Racing Honda RS125R.) Both were unhurt.

The 2002 GP season continues at Catalunya, in Spain, on June 16.

HONDA TEAM QUOTES

MotoGP:

Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda, 1st: “I started this morning in not the best way with a crash in the warm up. My first ever in Sunday morning warm up. The crash was good in a way, it made me realise I had to ride the bike a little more sweet. I have had a problem with traction over the weekend and we fitted a slightly softer tyre compared to Tohru and the Yamahas. I tried to get away at the beginning but could not make a break. I go hard again half way through and the tyre is OK. I am happy to win at last in Mugello with MotoGP. The championship is very long and we need to stay concentrated. The other teams are getting closer.”

Tohru Ukawa, Repsol Honda: 3rd: “That was a very tough race for me. Mugello is not my favourite track and I have never gone very well in the past. We struggled in qualifying and after this mornings warm up we made a set-up change that we hoped would be in the right direction. However it was not. Luckily we have a slight speed advantage over the Yamahas here and I think third for me at Mugello is good and good for the championship.”

Alex Barros, West Honda Pons, 5th: “Firstly I would like to thank my team for the excellent work they have done over the weekend which has given me a fighting chance in the race. We made a good tyre choice and I knew I could complete a good race. We still have room for improvement and if we can solve the problems I am having when entering a corner, where the bike does not turn, then we can be right up at the front alongside the 4-strokes. I made a great start, but I got held up behind Roberts and it took me a long time to pass him, and this time is the gap which separated me in the end from Ukawa and Checa.”

Loris Capirossi, West Honda Pons, 6th: “This was a very difficult race, especially because I chose a softer rear tyre, and after four laps it started to lose grip and I could not do anything about it. When Barros joined me I thought about following his wheel, but I could not maintain his pace and so I decided that the best thing was to finish the race because if I had pushed any harder I would have ended up sliding off.”

Sito Pons: “I am very satisfied with the work of the whole team, including the technical staff, mechanics and the two riders. I sincerely believe that we could not have done any better today. For us it is like we have finished first and second as it is clear that the Honda and Yamaha four-strokes are on another level. Anyway this race is good preparation for the next race in Barcelona where I am sure that we will be competing with the four-strokes for a podium finish. All the team, and especially our riders, are very motivated and looking forward to the second race in Spain.”

Tetsuya Harada, Pramac Honda Team: 10th: “In the last lap Jacque passed me, because I was given a wider gap sign from the pits so I kind of relaxed. Anyway it was a very tough race because I was fighting with Laconi, I could pass him on corners, but on the straight his bike was so much faster than mine and he would pass me back, but then slowed me down on the driven parts of the track.”

Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Kanemoto Honda,14th: “After the morning warm-up we decided to run a harder rear tyre. We knew it was not as grippy as the one we used in qualifying but we felt it would have the endurance we needed in the increased temperatures of today. I had a good feeling with the bike in the beginning of the race but after five-six laps the temperature in the tyre came up and became too hot, then the bike started to move around under me.

“We did not take a step forward this week but we learned a lot and gave Bridgestone a lot of information about the kind of conditions we saw today. We now go to Brno for a two day test annd I believe we will be able to give more information to Bridgestone to help with the development of the tyres we need to find that vital extra half to one second we need.”

Team owner – manager Erv Kanemoto was in philosophical mood at the end off the race. He said. “Basically the choice of rear tyre we made was too hard and it built up temperature. On reflection maybe it would have been better to what we had in qualifying but we were worried about endurance with the sudden rise in temperature. We stood still in some ways this weekend “

250cc:

Roberto Rolfo, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 8th: “A difficult race for me but I’m happy about the way I started and also with my racing. It’s a pity that it was only today that we found the best solution for our set-up, if I had a bike so perfect from the start of practice I would have started at the front and the race would have been different.”

Emilio Alzamora, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 11th: “I didn’t start well and I had difficulty to find a fast rhythm. I had a good bike, but would have been better to have this bike from Friday. Luckily we will now test to be sure I have the best set-up for my home race in Barcelona.”

Fausto Gresini: “I’m not satisfied with the result: the problem was starting from too far back on the grid. Now our objective is to help Roberto and Emilio to qualify in better positions and improve their results. I’m sorry for our fans, we hope to give more satisfaction in the future.”

125cc:

Dani Pedrosa, Telefonica MoviStar Honda, 4th: “All weekend we’ve been battling, and we knew the race wouldn’t be easy. The last lap was especially hard, and I lost third position in the last yards. I was able to use Pablo Nieto’s slipstream but even then that was not enough, and then Ui passed us both. In the end the tyres were badly worn. I gave my maximum but it wasn’t enough. The next race is Montmelo, and we will keep on working hard. Of course I dream of a good result there, because we are racing at home.”

Andrea Ballerini, FCC Honda, 10th: “Very happy. I got a good start and was running well at the back of the group. The bike was running well, especially the tyres, and I was confident. The big problem I had came when Bianco crashed in front of me. The front end of his bike hit mine and damaged the rear mudguard, which then dragged on the tyre for the rest of the race. I had no chance to finish higher than 10th. “

Andrea Dovizioso, Scott Racing Honda, 12th: “I didn’t get a good start but I caught a few riders in the first few laps but got up to 12th at the finish. The bike ran really well. The only problem I had was with front end chatter on the downhill sections.”

Masao Azuma, Tribe by Breil Honda, 13th: “I tried my best in the race, I got from 19th on he grid to be with the lead group. The bike was running really well and I could pass the Aprilia’s on the straight. But halfway through the race my tyres went off and I had to ride very hard. I could make up some time on the brakes but it was not enough.”

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