Tricky conditions caused by a rain shower moments before final qualifying began meant that some riders couldn't better their Friday times. But Rossi's team dialled in chassis changes towards the end of the session as the damp track dried to hoist the Italian onto the front row.

"The conditions were better towards the end," said Rossi. "The last 15 minutes were okay when it was dry and there was less wind than yesterday. We tried some new settings to cure some problems I had under braking and that's now fixed. I was much happier out there after that. Tyres are going to be an issue tomorrow and we may have to make some adjustments in tomorrow morning's warm-up session. The weather is likely to be the biggest factor now."

Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini RC211V) continues to make the most of his switch to four-stroke power and his tidy riding style paid dividends in difficult circumstances. "The track was very slippery," said Kato. "I was having some problems finding rear grip, but I got into a rhythm when I could run a few laps on my own. Tomorrow's going to be very tricky in terms of tyre choice and we'll just have to wait and see what the weather brings. I ride much better without strong winds and I think it will be a great race tomorrow."

Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500) was one of the few riders not to improve on yesterday's time. "We only had 20 minutes dry track time," said the Brazilian. "And this affected the results. When the track was dry we went out with used tyres to test for wear and we also had carburation changes to make because we fitted a new engine in the morning. When everything was sorted out I could ride more aggressively than yesterday, but I was probably riding more cleanly yesterday. I don't know if I could have got pole position or not, but I am sure I could have gone under 1m40s."

Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500) ended the day on the second row in seventh spot. "Even though we could only get out for 20 minutes, we improved the handling and found a tyre that worked well," he said. "On my first flying lap I was held up by Kato and on my second I made a mistake. The race will be difficult and I hope that it either rains or it's really hot, because in these unsettled conditions everything becomes complicated. Either way, the second row is okay. The track had less grip today and maybe that's why I'm the only two-stroke rider who improved his time today."

Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V) starts from eighth on the second row. "With the session shortened because of the weather we got caught out," said the Japanese. "We should have stuck with the settings we had this morning and tried different tyres this afternoon. Instead we seemed to go backwards. It's a shame because yesterday things were going pretty well. Anyway we still have the warm-up to improve things and a second row start is better than the third row."

Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500) rode to his second best qualifying position of the year in tenth place despite not feeling his best. "I felt bad out there," said the Dutchman. "I was sweating even more than yesterday and it was difficult to concentrate. On the positive side the bike set-up and tyres are good. I didn't go out in the early laps and tried to conserve energy for the race. We'll all have to stay cool in the first turn in the race. I got hit in turns one and two at Brno and I don't want it to happen again. If I get a good start I feel sure I can run well. I just hope I feel a bit better tomorrow."

Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500) lines up on the fifth row in 18th place. "Conditions were difficult," he said. "But they were the same for everyone. Those who could find a workable set-up quickly for the 20 minutes of dry track time have an advantage and the rest of us will have to make the most of warm-up tomorrow. Either way, the weather and the race will always provide a few surprises."

Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) kept himself on the front row of the grid in fourth place for tomorrow's 250 race despite crashing during the final ten minutes of the session. He ran back to pit lane where his spare bike was ready for him, but he couldn't better his Friday time, which proved enough anyway. Sebastian Porto (Yamaha) rode to his first ever pole position, Marco Melandri (Aprilia) and Fonsi Nieto (Aprilia) were second and third qualifiers.

"Conditions were a major factor this afternoon," said Rolfo. "I tried a different front tyre and I was going well. It's a real pity about the crash, but I'm okay. My race bike will be fine for tomorrow and we'll look at the carburation in the warm-up to get a bit more feel between throttle and engine. A lot will depend on weather conditions because it could so easily be different from warm-up to the race. We'll see."

Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) qualified on the second row of the grid in seventh place as he bounces back after surgery on both wrists. "My muscles are still a bit weak," he said. "But I should be okay for the race and a second row start will be fine as long as I make the most of it. Rain is the one thing I don't want tomorrow - wind I can handle. I've just got to make sure I get my season back on track here."

Leon Haslam (By Queroseno Racing Honda RS250R/W) put in his best qualifying performance of the season so far with 14th place. "This is better," said the young Briton. "But we've still got a long way to go. We should be able to run a good pace in the race, but the weather could make it a bit of a lottery. Either way we'll just keep putting in maximum effort."

Haruchika Aoki (Arie Molenaar Racing Honda RS250R/W) lines up on the fourth row in 15th alongside Haslam. "Yesterday was okay, today not so good," said Aoki. "I had a bit of chatter from the front end that I didn't have yesterday and we don't know why yet. The track is dirtier than yesterday and the bumps are still a problem. We'll check the computer data and work through a solution tomorrow."

In the 125s Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) grabbed the fourth pole position of his career by shaving more than half a second off his Friday time as rain hit the final minutes of the session. Manuel Poggiali (Gilera) and Youichi Ui (Derbi) did not better their Friday times and fill second and third places, respectively. Steve Jenkner (Aprilia) completes the front row.

"Getting pole is important at this track," said Pedrosa. "When you're as small and light as me it gives you a big advantage at the start. The first corners are tight and the risk of crashing high, so the start is crucial. We've still got a few suspension changes to try, but the bike steers well and I know how it will respond in the race. The long straight will make slipstreaming very important in determining the final result."

HONDA TEAM QUOTES - MotoGP

Daijiro Kato, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 2nd: "In respect to yesterday my bike has really improved: this means that we have worked in the right direction. Without the strong wind I can ride much better. It's a pity about the short time we had at our disposal, I should have done better but anyway I'm really satisfied. For tomorrow I think that it will be a great race: I'd like to stay in the battle with the first group of riders."

Fausto Gresini: "Somebody asked me if it's possible to get used to stay at the front, but I answered that it's impossible to do: it's too beautiful to think that. Kato is a hero, a really good racer and he confirmed he can go faster in any situation, also when he is stressed with little time to work with. It's difficult to make a prediction about tomorrow, I can say for the team and the rider it will be a really new experience. Our objective is to fight with the best riders, especially with Rossi, who is the man to beat. To put the Honda on the front row is greatly satisfying and it means that we have done our work well."

Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda Team, 3rd: "The weather conditions were bad and we lost a lot of time this morning and for at least half the afternoon session. The last 15 minutes were good with not as much wind as the first qualifying session. Although I'm in the same position as yesterday I have improved my time. We seem to have found better settings now. I now have fun with the bike, which I didn't at Brno. Some of the problems have been fixed, especially in the braking area. We will make a few more adjustments in tomorrow's warm up and I hope it is possible to make a good race if the weather is OK."

Alex Barros, West Honda Pons, 4th: "The practice session was reduced to only 20 minutes and obviously this affected the results. When the track had dried we went out with used tyres to test the wear for the race and after that we had to improve the fuel setting because we ran with a new engine this morning. When everything was finally sorted out I could ride even more aggressively than yesterday and could attack the bike but that probably stopped me from improving on my tyres from yesterday when I was riding more cleanly. I do not know if I could have got pole position or not, but I am sure I could have gone under 1:40".

Loris Capirossi, West Honda Pons: 7th: "Even though we could only go out for 20minutes during the session, we improved the handling in that time and we found a tyre that worked well. However, in my first flying lap I was held up by Kato, and in my second I made an error that slowed me up. The race will be difficult and I hope that it rains or that it is very hot because these unsettled conditions make everything much more complicated. I think that a place on the second row of the grid is not bad and we can do a good race. The track today has less grip and maybe that is why I am the only two-stroke rider who improved his time today."

Sito Pons: "After the great performances of Alex and Loris on Friday, where they were both on the front row of the grid, we had higher hopes for today, but we can maintain our potential during the race. Today was a complicated session due to the unsettled climatic conditions, but I think that both Alex and Loris are ready to put in good performances tomorrow and are very determined to give it their all."

Tohru Ukawa, Repsol Honda Team, 8th: "With a shortened session due to the weather we really got caught out with timings. We should have stuck with the settings we had this morning and tried different tyres in this afternoon. Instead we seemed to go backwards. It's a shame, as yesterday it was all going pretty well. Anyway, we still have the warm up tomorrow to improve things and a second row start is better than third!"

Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Kanemoto Honda, 10th: "I felt bad out there, sweating even more than yesterday. My heartbeat is almost twice as high as yesterday, it was difficult to concentrate. But on the positive side the bike et up and the tyres we have are a good combination didn't go out in the early laps, I wasn't going to learn much and I have to conserve energy for the race. In e race I hope we all stay pretty cool at the first turn. I got hit in both turn one and two at Brno and I don't want it to happen here. If I make the start I'm sure I can run with the group early on, everything is working well. I just hope I feel a bit better tomorrow."

Team owner - manager Erv Kanemoto: "That was a difficult session but basically for the race we have a good set up. Practice has been pretty smooth, we hope the race goes as well as practice. I'm pretty sure we will be consistent in the race. Jurgen is riding really well, if he gets a good start he will be in there, the times are really close. It should be a good race tomorrow. Jurgen has a good chance of taking a good result here. "