From a Ducati press release:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 1 – Valencia (Spain), 8 March 2002

FRIDAY QUALIFYING

DUCATI INFOSTRADA DUO LEAD THE WAY IN WSBK OPENING SESSION

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) powered to the front on the first day’s qualifying session for the opening round of the 2002 World Superbike
Championship at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Spain. In warm, dry conditions, the 24-year-old from Barcelona broke the Bayliss-Haga stranglehold on the one-hour session with a time of 1:34.927 set towards the end. Ducati Infostrada teammate and 2001 world champion Troy Bayliss was a fraction behind the Spanish rider in second, with Aprilia’s Noriyuki Haga third quickest. Ducati L&M’s Ben Bostrom was just four-tenths of a second off provisional pole in fifth, right behind Honda’s Colin Edwards.

Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) said that he was delighted with the performance of his 998R Factory bike around the 4.005 km circuit and that he was encountering none of the front-end problems he had experienced at Valencia ten days ago. “Everything was perfect”, he declared. “I really feel I’m riding the best bike ever. It’s all completely different from ten days ago, when I had a few problems with the front. I would say that the bike has always been perfect but now I feel I’m taking a lot less risk. Tomorrow I think it’s possible to get some more time off, but for the moment I’m just really happy with today’s performance”.

Defending champion Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) was less than one-tenth of a second slower than Xaus on his 998R Factory, but felt there was a lot more to come during the afternoon’s second and final qualifying session. “That wasn’t bad for a first day at work”, he commented. “We have already got quite a good set-up and the bike is proving to be fast around here. Tomorrow we’ve got a few more settings to try out, but I’m feeling good about everything and confident I can get some more off my time tomorrow”.

Ducati’s third factory rider Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) was slightly disappointed with his fifth-place slot, despite being less than half-a-second off Xaus’s provisional pole mark. “It didn’t really go the way we wanted it to go so I’m a bit disappointed, but tomorrow is a new day”, he said. “There wasn’t much difference from the tests here ten days ago, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do. We need to get our race tyre picked, do some laps and get the bike set up a little better and then we’ll be happy. On one of my quick laps out there I pushed my Q-tyre too hard in half a lap and then on the other I was caught behind another rider.”


FRIDAY QUALIFYING TIMES:
1. RUBEN XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:34.927
2. TROY BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:34.999
3. Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia) 1:35.030
4. Colin Edwards (Honda) 1:35.312
5. Ben BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) 1:35.374
6. H. Izutsu (Kawasaki) 1:35.385
7. James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:35.393
8. Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) 1:35.429
9. Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati NCR) 1:35.708
10. Pedercini (Ducati) 1:35.873

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

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The final production version of the Benelli Tornado has been spotted in Valencia. The company has one bike, a final pre-production model, at the circuit already. Another two bikes on the way for showing over the weekend, the pair are actual production bikes from a batch of 150 limited edition bikes that will go on sale to the public shortly.

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Looking as gorgeous as it did when it was first shown in prototype form the Tornado is perhaps the best looking production bike in existence. The trademark twin yellow underseat fans are still present in the rear tail section, and a host of other details abound.

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The bike is dripping in exotica, with Ohlins suspension, magnesium engine cases and carbon fiber bodywork. Details like the flick-knife-style ignition key leave you in no doubt that this is a very special motorcycle.

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Friday Superbike Qualifying Times:

1. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:49.904
2. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:50.214
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:50.818
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:51.048
5. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:52.353
6. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 1:53.887
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:54.978
8. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:55.062
9. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki, 1:56.257
10. Marco Martinez, Suzuki, 1:56.373
11. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:56.391
12. Stephane Mertens, Suzuki, 1:56.496
13. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:56.630
14. Greg Fryer, Yamaha, 1:57.212
15. Anthony Fania, Jr., Suzuki, 1:57.444
16. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, 1:57.632
17. Randall Mennenga, Suzuki, 1:57.661
18. Owen Richey, Suzuki, 1:57.692
19. Raymond Bowman, Suzuki, 1:57.749
20. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, 1:57.875
21. Mike Luke, Suzuki, 1:58.214
22. Andres Perez, Ducati, 1:58.346
23. Brett Ray, Suzuki, 1:58.365
24. Mike Sullivan, Honda, 1:58.615
25. Justin Blake, Suzuki, 1:58.944
26. Scott Hermersmann, Suzuki, 1:58.947
27. Cory Call, Suzuki, 1:59.004
28. Rick Narup, Suzuki, 1:59.194
29. Michael Niksa, Suzuki, 1:59.767
30. Mark Zaremskas, Suzuki, 2:00.014
31. Mike Walsh, Suzuki, 2:00.780



Final grid:
1. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:47.174
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:47.259
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:47.527
4. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:48.083
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati, 1:48.219
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:48.311
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:48.482
8. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:49.110
9. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:50.214
10. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:53.854
11. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 1:53.887
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:54.978
13. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:55.179
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:55.331
15. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:55.461
16. John Jacobi, Suzuki, 1:55.674
17. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:56.048
18. Dave Estok, Suzuki, 1:56.066
19. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki, 1:56.257
20. Marco Martinez, Suzuki, 1:56.373
21. Vince Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:56.402
22. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki, 1:56.486
23. Stephane Mertens, Suzuki, 1:56.498
24. Ricky Orlando, Suzuki, 1:56.524
25. Mike Luke, Suzuki, 1:56.765
26. John Ashmead, Suzuki, 1:56.867
27. Scott Hermersmann, Suzuki, 1:57.031
28. Brian Livengood, Suzuki, 1:57.034
29. Pedro Valiente, Suzuki, 1:57.063
30. John Dugan, Suzuki, 1:57.072

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to an announcement by Daytona International Speedway spokesperson Kathy Catron just before 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin has been transported to Halifax Medical Center to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. It is suspected that Mladin may have a fracture in his left elbow.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.918
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:57.473
3. Scott Greenwwod, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:58.141
4. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:58.864
5. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:58.939
6. Tom Montano, Ducati 748R, 1:59.498
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:59.566
8. Andrew Nelson, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:59.683
9. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:59.765
10. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 1:59.838
11. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:59.908
12. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:59.969
13. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.471
14. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:01.099
15. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:01.173
16. Aaron Clark, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:01.634
17. Shawn Conrad, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:01.722
18. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:02.017
19. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:02.100
20. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:02.179

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Orlando-based WFLA 540 AM morning show host Shannon Burke made fun of injured motorcyclists this morning, parodying a rider with a head injury and related speech impediment.

Burke referred to riders who did not wear helmets on the street as “Puss Finger” and “Goober” and referred to a rider on a “Shovelhead Panhead”.

He broadcast sounds of simulated crashes and laughed about the potential results of such crashes.

The references to injured riders were broadcast about 7:15 this morning.

Besides owning radio stations, Clear Channel also owns Clear Channel Entertainment Motor Sports, which promotes F-USA motorcycle racing events.

Nicky Hayden, Miguel Duhamel, Kurtis Roberts and Anthony Gobert lock in front-row starting positions.

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:47.174
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:47.259
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:47.527
4. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:48.083
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:48.219
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:48.311
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:48.482
8. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:49.110
9. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:50.224
10. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.854*
11. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.391*
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.114*
13. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.179*
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.331*
15. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.461*
16. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.048
17. David Estok, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.066
18. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.402*
19. Ricky Orlando, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.524
20. Stephane Mertens, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.639*

*Superstock machine

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tom Montano fastest in Pro Thunder practice.


Unofficial Supersport Lap Times:
1. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:53.460
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:53.627
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:54.00
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:54.116
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:54.164
6. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:54.211
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:54.226
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:54.284
9. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:54.408
10. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:54.447
11. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:54.622
12. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:54.683
13. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:54.688
14. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:54.830
15. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:55.319
16. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:55.606
17. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:56.023
18. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:56.062
19. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:56.137
20. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:56.429

Roberts said that he did his time without the benefit of the draft. Lap split times provided by AMA timing and scoring show that Roberts also did his best time without being the fastest rider in any one of the three lap segments.

The existing 600cc Supersport lap record belongs to Roberts at 1:53.549.


Unofficial Pro Thunder Lap Times:
1. Tom Montano, Ducati, 1:57.113
2. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 1:57.266
3. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 1:57.283
4. Shawn Higbee, Buell, 1:57.416
5. Kirk McCarthy, Ducati, 1:58.196
6. Michael Barnes, Buell, 1:58.853
7. Dave Estok, Buell, 1:59.067
8. Ricky Lundgren, Ducati, 2:02.026
9. Thomas Fournier, Ducati, 2:03.598
10. Leo Venega, Ducati, 2:04.267