TOSELAND ON TOP AFTER A THRILLING FIRST QUALIFYING SESSION MANY CHANGES TO THE STORY ON THE OPENING DAY James Toseland, the 2004 World Champion, replicated his number one status in the opening qualifying session at the new-style Assen circuit, taking a best time of 2’04.742, but only after a late reaffirmation of his previous number one spot. There were nine changes of leading rider throughout the session, most of them in the final two laps of intense competition for provisional grid places.

CORSER SECOND QUICKEST BUT IN DETERMINED MOOD One of the few trophies missing from the collection amassed by Troy Corser (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) is an Assen race winner’s prize. With the Dutch track about to undergo major changes in the winter months, Corser is determined to add an Assen victory to his haul before the nature of the track changes permanently, and twice he put his name at the top of the qualifying list – albeit not at the most crucial time. His team-mate Yukio Kagayama took longer to get used to the new Assen layout, taking ninth fastest time, some 1.179 from provisional pole.
Wild card Suzuki rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Rizla Suzuki) had a torrid time in the opening session, finishing his day 23rd fastest in his Superbike debut.

HONDA TEAM-MATES HAMMER THE STOPWATCH Winston Ten Kate Honda riders Karl Muggeridge and Chris Vermeulen vied with the stopwatch and each other on the first day of qualifying, with Muggeridge – an SBK rookie this year – taking third best time, some 0.3 seconds faster than Vermeulen. Only three Honda riders made it into the top ten, with Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda) seventh fastest, over a second from the quickest mark set by Toseland.
Ben Bostrom (Renegade Honda Koji) and Pierfrancesco Chili (Klaffi Honda) finished out the top 20 positions, in 19th and 20th respectively.

LACONI FALLS AS LANZI PROMOTES HIMSELF Two crashes for Ducati Xerox rider Regis Laconi dropped him down the first day order, in 15th position only. His second fall saw him visit the medical centre for checks, having experienced a severe impact from a highside. Thus the second placed Ducati rider on show was the ever-improving Lorenzo Lanzi (SC Caracchi Ducati) who took the fifth quickest time. Ivan Clementi (Team Pedercini had been an early force in qualifying and finished his first day of action 12th overall. The SC Caracchi Ducati team ended its contract with Spanish rider Fonsi Nieto before he set a time, leaving Lanzi in a single rider team at present.

MARTIN BATTERS PRE RACE PRECONCEPTIONS Steve Martin (Petronas FP-1) surprised the Assen grid by posting the seventh fastest lap of the day on his 900cc machine, reckoned by many not to have the legs to make an impact at the long, fast circuit this season. Garry McCoy did not share his positive experience, finishing 26th fastest.

HAGA GOES FROM FASTEST TO 11th Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) ended the first unofficial practice session fastest but when the stopwatches were running for real he ended up 11th quickest, with his team-mate Andrew Pitt taking the honours as top Yamaha rider, eighth in the rankings. Gianluca Vizziello (Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) was an impressive tenth fastest in his rookie Assen SBK visit, while Sebastien Gimbert cast a small shadow over his team-mate Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France), by going 14th to Abe’s 21st.

WALKER TOP KAWASAKI RUNNER PSG-1 Kawasaki rider Chris Walker was once more the leading Kawasaki rider, taking his PSG-1 machine to 13th overall, out of 34 riders on show. Mauro Sanchini returned to SBK action after his recent injury, and ended day one 22nd.

WORLD SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) enjoyed a narrow margin of supremacy after the first sessions at a remodelled Assen circuit, and the championship leader is still on course to take the title if he replicates this result in the race. Young Italian charger Michel Fabrizio (Team Italia Megabike Honda) was second, by only 0.074 seconds, with the front running variety added to by the Yamaha Motor Germany machine of Aussie rider Broc Parkes, in third place on the early timesheets.
SC Ducati rider Gianluca Nannelli fell in the untimed session and failed to make a lap in qualifying, but he hopes to be fit and ready for the final timed session on Saturday afternoon.