MotoGP 2002 - Round 2 - Welkom - Qualifying 2

Honda riders dominated final MotoGP qualifying at Welkom this afternoon, securing the first three places on the front row of the grid for tomorrow's Africa's Grand Prix. HRC four-stroke riders Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) and Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) were first and third fastest, sandwiching Honda's fastest two-stroke rider Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500). Max Biaggi (Yamaha) completed the front row, the four riders separated by just 0.404 seconds. Even more impressive was the spread across the fastest 19 riders of the 20-strong grid - just 1.504 seconds separated Rossi from 19th quickest Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500).

Today was a good day for Rossi and Ukawa, preparing their RCV V5s for what should be the first dry race of the new age of MotoGP. Considering no one had ridden an RCV around Welkom before yesterday morning's opening practice session the pair made an excellent job of getting their bikes right on the pace, proving the machine's adaptability. Two weeks ago Rossi also took pole position at Suzuka, a very different kind of racetrack from Welkom, where lack of grip and vicious bumps are the defining features.

"This track is much bumpier than last year, it's a bit like riding motocross," joked Rossi. "But we have made a good step with the bike compared to yesterday, making a lot of experiments to find the best set-up for the difficult conditions. It's impossible to have a perfect set-up considering the state of the surface but we are much nearer now. I'm pleased that I was able to ride a lot of fast laps using a race set-up; the tyres are working very well. The team have worked really hard as always and it's great to be starting from pole."

Capirossi fought long and hard to dislodge Rossi from pole but ultimately failed by a tantalizing 0.032 seconds. At one stage the hard-riding Italian had closed to within five thousandths of his fellow Italian, but then Rossi went faster yet again right at the end of the session. "I love to ride the bike at the limit and today I was practically on that limit," said Capirossi, who bravely saved a highside during the earlier stages of the session. "I'm fast and consistent and that gives me a lot of confidence. The only thing we're not sure about so far is the difference in race-distance tyre wear between the two-strokes and four-strokes."

Ukawa did run second for some of the session, eventually slipping to third, just 0.183 second shy of Capirossi. "But I'm very happy with my fastest lap because I was running a race set-up and race tyres," said the Japanese who tumbled out of the Suzuka GP. "I want to put that memory behind me tomorrow and I'm looking forward to the race because I've always done pretty well at Welkom. We've made a lot of adjustments over the past two days and the bike is now working well. I will try my best."

Honda's other NSR riders ended the day further down the grid, Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500) rounding out the third row in 12th. Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500) and Daijiro Katoh (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR500) will start tomorrow's race next to each other on row four after posting 13th and 14th fastest times.

"I'm happy enough because I didn't run qualifying tyres for my best laps," said van den Goorbergh who is developing MotoGP tyres for Bridgestone. "We are confident we have rear-tyre consistency but I just need to be careful not to destroy the front too quickly."

Katoh rode a storming morning session, running second quickest, but higher afternoon temperatures caught him out. "The rear tyre was sliding too much," said the reigning 250 champ, who won last year's 250 GP at Welkom.

Harada ended up 19th after his best end-of-session lap was spoiled by a missed gear. "The bike is much better than yesterday, we improved the suspension and I'm now getting excellent feeling through the turns," said the former 250 champ.

Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda Team: 1st Position: "We made a good step today compared to yesterday. We made a lot of experiments with different settings and we are in a much better position now. The team have worked really hard and I am very happy to be starting from pole position. It's impossible to get a perfect setting but we are much nearer. The tyres are working well and I am pleased to make the good times using a race set-up. The track seems bumpier than last year with a bit less grip. I hope for good weather tomorrow and of course a good result."

Loris Capirossi, West Honda Pons: 2nd: "I am pleased because we have once again been competitive in practice. Hopefully tomorrow, unlike in Japan, it won't rain. We are in Africa here and the temperature reached 40 degrees on the track. In the morning we tried different tyres and we now have a clear idea of what set we'll use in the race. The last few laps in official practice are always very significant. I love to ride the bike to the limit and today I was practically on that limit. I am lapping fast and that gives me a lot of confidence. The one thing that is not so clear is the difference in tyre wear between the 2 and 4-strokes under race conditions.""

Tohru Ukawa, Repsol Honda Team: 3rd: "I am happy to put Suzuka behind me where I crashed. I like Welkom and have done quite well here in the past. The team have put in a lot of effort over the two days trying to get the best set-up for the bike. We have made many adjustments and now find the bike is working pretty well. It is good to have taken a front row position for the race tomorrow using a race set up with race tyres. I will try my best tomorrow."

Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Kanemoto Racing: 12th: "Maybe it sounds too good to be happy with 12th, when you are not on the limit but we didn't run a qualifying tyre, we made the time on our race set-up. I'm happy with my riding as I did a 1m 35.3s lap on a new type of tyre. Never-the-less, the race simulation says the rear tyre will work throughout the whole race. In the race I just have to be careful not to destroy the front tyre too quickly. Because the track will get more grip, like Suzuka, we are confident we have rear tyre consistency, we just have to work a little more on the front. I feel confident going into the race. "

Erv Kanemoto (Team owner-manager) : "This is the first time Bridgestone have been here with a MotoGP machine and we had many tyre combinations to test. The endurance of the tyres appears not to be a problem, mainly the rear tyre, we're real happy with that. All indications say it should be good for the race. We have a few changes to make to help the front en, nothing major. The bike is working well, even though the altitude is causing a few problems with power but it's the same for everybody. We didn't bring anything to help with the altitude, that would have meant testing here, and for just one race that's very difficult. We are running pretty much the same as we did at Suzuka so it will be an interesting race."

Alex Barros: West Honda Pons: 13th: "As in Japan, I am not happy with my position on the grid. At least I lapped at a good rhythm and I am confident that we have chosen the right front and back tyre compounds for the race. I feel I could have improved a little more my time and that is why I am not satisfied. If I had been able to complete a lap at 100% I would be much further up the grid because on such a tight circuit as this every little improvement makes a big difference. Welkom is a circuit where it is difficult to overtake and so a lot will depend on my start tomorrow. I am confident though."

Sito Pons, West Honda Pons (Team Manager): "It has been a replay of the Suzuka Grand Prix where we constantly swapped pole position with Rossi. I am very satisfied with the way things have gone. Tomorrow, in the first dry race, we will be able to compare the consistency of the 2-strokes against the 4-strokes. In any case I think Loris has sufficient pace to battle for victory tomorrow. Alex has improved and could be in the top five at the end of the race."

Daijiro Katoh, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 14th: "It's a shame: in comparison to this morning's free practice session, the motorcycle developed problems and was sliding too much on the rear. I had very little traction!"

Fausto Gresini, Fortuna Team Gresini (team manager): "The setting of this morning was perfect, but as the asphalt got very hot in the afternoon, we ran into problems and Daijiro didn't have a chance to run at the same speed again. Together with the Michelin tyre technicians, our team is now looking at all possible options in order to solve the problem. For tomorrow, high temperatures are forecasted again, so we definitely have to change something. Our goal is to be up with the front runners!"

Tetsuya Harada ,Pramac Honda Racing Team: 19th: "I tried a new tyre at the end of the practice round (at two minutes from the end) and that gave me the possibility of making one fast lap. Also, in a curve on the left, the shift closed and I risked a fall. Anyway, even with such a problem I improved my timing. The bike is much better compared to yesterday, we worked very hard on the suspensions and now I have a great feeling, especially in the curves. Unfortunately, the track is full of holes and the bike feels like it is jumping around. Compared to Suzuka, we made some progress and even if the position in is the same. The difference in the timing is less and because I see that I am doing progress, I feel better and I am confident with my bike. There is still work to do, but we are on the right track."