Pitt, who is making his debut at Assen, qualified 15th with a best lap of 2-mins 10.473-secs around the 6km circuit in today's second and final session. His time was an improvement of 1.559-secs on his quickest lap in yesterday's opening qualifying session.

The 24-year-old set his best qualifying lap today on 'race tyres'. In the closing stages of the session he had some 'softer' qualifying tyres fitted to his Kawasaki ZX-6R in a bid to improve his grid position. However, moments after he resumed riding rain began falling, which effectively prevented quicker lap times.

Despite the rain, Pitt was pleased with his improvement in the second session, which followed gearing adjustments on his machine. He said he had also been advised on racing lines and other aspects of the Assen circuit in a telephone conversation with Australia's former 500cc grand prix rider Kevin Magee.

Frenchman Stefan Chambon claimed pole position with the fastest qualifying lap of 2-mins 8.607-secs on a Alstare Corona Suzuki. He will be joined on the front row by Australia's Karl Muggeridge on a Ten Kate Honda, and Alfa Technik Yamaha team-mates Jorg Teuchert and Christian
Kellner of Germany.

ANDREW PITT - "I'm not happy with my qualifying position, especially after being on the second row (of the grid) for the last race. At the same time I feel we've made big improvements today and
that's shown in my lap times. I think I could have gone half-a-second-quicker again on the 'soft' tyres, but the rain came so there was no chance. We've gone taller with the gearing and that's been a help. This is my first time at Assen and this weekend I'm learning the track by myself, instead of following some of the others around to see what they're doing. Kevin (Magee) has given me a few ideas. Many of the turns are banked, but you can carry more corner speed than you think you can. That's one place I've made up time today. We had a chance to try some wet-weather tyres in practice this morning before qualifying and I was in the top five. Regardless of the weather I think I can be competitive in the race. I feel more comfortable on the bike."

QUALIFYING TIMES (Final - starting grid positions):
POS RIDER MOTORCYCLE LAP TIME
1. Stephane Chambon (France) Alstare Corona Suzuki 2:08.607
2. Karl Muggeridge (Australia) Ten Kate Honda 2:08.865
3. Jorg Teuchert (Germany) Alpha Technik Yamaha 2:09.081
4. Christian Kellner (Germany) Alpha Technik Yamaha 2:09.142
5. Paolo Casoli (Italy) Infostrada Ducati 2:09.403
6. Christoph Cogan (France) BKM Racing Yamaha 2:09.538
7. Fabien Foret (France) DCR Pirelli Ducati 2:09.551
8. Fabrizio Pirovano (Italy) Alstare Corona Suzuki 2:09.702
9. Ruben Xaus (Spain) Infostrada Ducati 2:09.804
10. Iain MacPherson (GB) Kawasaki Racing Team 2:09.945
11. Pere Riba (Spain) Castrol Honda 2:10.087
12. Jamie Whitham (GB) Belgarda Yamaha 2:10.108
13. Piergiorgio Bontempi (Italy) DCR Pirelli Ducati 2:10.197
14. Massimo Meregalli (Italy) Belgarda Yamaha 2:10.451
15. Andrew Pitt (Australia) Kawasaki Racing Team 2:10.473
OTHERS:
20. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Castrol Honda 2:11.125
22. Paul Young (Australia) BKM Racing Yamaha 2:11.356

ASSEN - SUPERSPORT FAST FACTS
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 6km
RACE LAP RECORD: 2-mins 11.031-secs, Iain MacPherson (GB) Kawasaki
1999 POLE POSITION: 2-mins 09.874-secs, Iain MacPherson (GB) Kawasaki
1999 RACE WINNER: Iain MacPherson (GB) Kawasaki

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after 8 rounds): Teuchert 116, Kellner 109, Casoli
109, Whitham 88, Chambon 88, MacPherson 69, Muggeridge 65, Pirovano 53,
Meregalli 47, Riba 46, Pitt 44, Xaus 39