For the Playstation2-FGF Aprilia Team it was a day on two fronts: in the morning, Haga got no further than eighth best time. But in the free practice before the Superpole, the technicians came up with the trump card and the Japanese ace did the rest, making fourth best time. A qualitative leap over 2001: here, again in Superpole, Aprilia achieved 1'42"249, but now Haga is down to 1'41"689, just three tenths from the record. After Friday's sessions, there was a gap of almost a second from the leader. This means the Playstation2-FGF Aprilia Team is rapidly gaining ground over Honda and Ducati, both of which raced in the pre-championship tests in Kyalami.

NORIYUKI HAGA (Playstation2-FGF Aprilia rider) commented: "In the morning we were in trouble: I couldn't go too fast because the front wheel was jumping halfway through the curve. But in the afternoon, things got suddenly better: I don't know exactly what the technicians did, but they sure did it well! As for the tyres, I'll choose one of two types for the rear in the warm-up. With race tyres, I managed to maintain a fast pace but it's going to be tough all the same."

GIACOMO GUIDOTTI (Technical Manager, Playstation2-FGF Aprilia) said: "In the morning sessions we were behind, but then we changed the calibration of the suspension and the geometry of the bike. We think we're going in the right direction because Haga's lap times have been improving constantly. The Superpole lap was fantastic but what really counts, as far as the actual race is concerned, is what he did on the race tyres. We're making good progress, but we still need to keep our cool."

1. Edwards - 1m41.321
2. Bayliss - 1m41.412
3. Bostrom - 1m41.453
4. Haga - 1m41.625
5. Hodgson - 1m41.825
6. Izutsu - 1m42.453
7. Chili - 1m42.475
8. Pedercini - 1m42.547
9. Borja - 1m42.671
10. Toseland - 1m42.841
11. Xaus - 1m43.054
12. Walker - 1m43.853
13. Borciani - 1m43.994
14. Lavilla - 1m44.133
15. Foti - 1m44.395
16. Martin 1m44.966

The riders below did not make SuperPole and will start on the grid as follows

17. Parkes - 1m44.134
18. Antonello - 1m44.477
19. Sanchini - 1m44.697
20. Heckles - 1m45.870
21. Stey - 1m46.060
22. Mrkyvka - 1m47.687
23. Gyger - 1m49.067
24. Clementi - 1m49.170

WSBK SuperPole - SuperPole - Honda Report - Aprilia Report - Ducati Report - GSE Report - Suzuki Report - NCR Report

WSBK Friday Qualifying 1 - Honda Report - Aprilia Report - Ducati Report - NCR Report - GSE Report