[Proto]

Nicked thsi from somewhere ..............



Valentino Rossi finished fastest in the first free practice session for the opening Grand Prix of the 2004 season at Welkom, South Africa.

Rossi posted a time of 1:34.405, with rival Max Biaggi 0.392 seconds behind. Colin Edwards is third quickest, with Kenny Roberts Jnr fourth on the Suzuki.

Neil Hodgson is currently 18th fastest, six places behind team-mate Ruben Xaus. Shane Byrne is 19th on the Aprilia, with Jeremy McWilliams in 20th.

And the British WCM team has announced that it will compete the full season this year, with one rider, Michael Fabrizio, racing at Welkom. He’ll be joined by British rider Chris Burns from round two. The team are racing the four-stroke prototype machine which was developed last year. Fabrizio finished the session in 23rd place with a time of 1:40.182

1) Rossi 1:34.405.
2) Biaggi. 1:34.797.
3) Edwards 1:35.106.
4) Roberts Jnr 1:35.188.
5) Gibernau 1:35.247.
6) Barros 1:35.554.
7) Melandri 1:35.566.
8) Checa 1:35.782.
9) Hayden 1:35.900.
10) Capirossi 1:35.909
11) Tamada 1:36.244.
12) Xaus 1:36.272.
13) Nakano 1:36.318.
14) Hofmann 1:36.553.
15) Abe 1:36.593.
16) Hopkins 1:36.273.
17) Bayliss 1:36.990.
18) Hodgson 1:37.112.
19) Byrne 1:37.304.
20) McWilliams 1:38.466.
21) Aoki 1:39.328.
22) Roberts 1:39.859.
23) Fabrizio 1:40.182.

[CyBeR929]

I read on Colin's site that:
1) Hopper blew the Zuki up and oiled the track
2) Kletus is out for the weekend after re-tweaking his shoulder

[ND4SPD]

I'd say Nicky improved a titch from last year

[CyBeR929]

I'm getting all this from Colin's site:

I think they are running QP1 now

Forcast is for rain tomorrow, so today's qualifying is looking like final qualifying

Times are dropping into the low 1:33's

Caparossi on pole for a couple laps then Rossi retook it.

Rossi
Caparossi
Ke Roberts

Nope
Rossi
Caparossi
Biaggi
Edwards

[CyBeR929]

QP1 Results:

1. Rossi
2. Gibernau
3. Capirossi
4. Biaggi
5. Kenny Roberts
6. Edwards
7. Melandri
8. Tamada
9. Hayden
10. Checa
11. Hofmann
12. Barros
13. Nakano
14. Hopkins
15. Abe
16. Xaus
17. Byrne
18. Hodgson
19. Bayliss
20. McWilliams
21. Aoki
22. Fabrizio

[CyBeR929]

QP1 Results

1 Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1:33.353
2 Sete Gibernau (ESP) Telefonica Movistar Honda 1:33.378
3 Loris Capirossi (ITA) Marlboro Ducati 1:33.709
4 Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda Team 1:33.730


4 Manufacturers in the top 5 slots! When was the last time anyone saw that happen? Bridgestone shod Suzy in 5th?! Did Hopper break up with his girlfriend?

[tigerblade]

[Sarcasm] Man, Rossi was so stupid for leaving Honda. He'll be racing for 8th all year. [/Sarcasm]

[phozed]

IMHO a fast lap or two (see any race last year where Max, Troy or Lori did well in the QPs) does not equal a race win. Can't wait for the damn race already!!

[QuikMike]

man! this going to be a good season...I can just feel it!!!

KRJR 5th?!!! Nicky 9th?? Edwards 6th!!!? and what about Bayliss in 19th!!!! the Kwackers 11th and 13th?? wow! I hope they are able to compete this year...it's gonna be good ladies and gents!!!

[CyBeR929]

Here's QP1 results with times:

QP1 results

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was suprised that Rossi was "that" far ahead of the pack. Yeah, it's early, but that's definatly a shot across Honda's bow to be 3 tenths faster than all but one other rider. Also, if it does rain for QP2 tomorrow, this will be the starting grid...they also changed to 3 riders per row, so Max will be the first rider on row 2....right behind Rossi....I guess he's used to the scenery though

[vader56]

Is this gonna be a massive racing season or what!!!

Can't wait for the Sunday race.. For the past week I'm rotating through all the racing sites that I know, every a few mins trying to get my fix...

[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by phozed

IMHO a fast lap or two (see any race last year where Max, Troy or Lori did well in the QPs) does not equal a race win. Can't wait for the damn race already!!

You're entirely correct; remember McWilliams qualifying on the pole with the Proton at Phillip Island a couple years ago only to get smoked during the race? Qualifying doesn't always mean much, but I think Rossi has shown he's got at least enough machine to podium. You don't see the Kawasaki up top yet...

[deez]

Originally Posted by phozed

IMHO a fast lap or two (see any race last year where Max, Troy or Lori did well in the QPs) does not equal a race win. Can't wait for the damn race already!!

I agree, but what are you going to say when he wins?

Still the doubters J/K

[phozed]

I dunno - prolly something very different from you after Rossi crashes out I picked Edwards Sete Hayden... and I also said Kurtis was gonna turn heads. And he did. When they watched him get on the plane to the US... doh

[deez]

He has done I think 2 race distance tests on the M1, he said the bike does very well when the tires to start to go off. I can't remember verbatim but that was the just of it. The way he manages tires (rides the front 1/2 the race, then rides the rear the other 1/2), I'd say the competition is fooked. We'll get to see how it does Sunday

[BDA116]

I'm gonna go with Sete, Kenny and Vale being the podium on Sunday. Why? Wild hair I guess, but Kenny seems to be working well with the 'Zook at this moment. I don't think it will last, however.
I'm still doubting that Rossi will be enough to overcome the Yamaha in the long term. I really don't think he's gonna have a legitimate shot at the title come year's end. As much as I want Edwards and Hayden to make up the podium with Roberts, I have a feeling things won't go their way on Sunday. Why? I couldn't tell you.
So, as strange as my podium prediction sounds, that's what I'm going with......for this week.

[Rios929]

as much as I hate to say it, Biaggi has a really good history at welkom. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the podium...

[oldgoat]

Originally Posted by Rios929

as much as I hate to say it, Biaggi has a really good history at welkom. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the podium...

Your right. You shouldn't have said that. Anyone but Max, Please.

[The Sook]

Cyber929, are you a member of Colin's site? If so which name you go by?
Top 6 are all within .5 or so of a sec. I'm thinking (hoping) that Colin and Sete are still tinkering with 03 vs 04 parts etc, before they go balls to the wall for QP2.
Secret to KRJ? Two words. Erv Kanemoto.

[Nick the Quick]

I just watched the whole qualifying session, and its looking to be a great season.

Rossi looks to be in top form, and everyone else looks ready for the racing to begin. Get ready for some bar banging on the first turn.

Looks like Hayden has a new helmet, looks really similar to his old one though. Looks alright.

Too early to tell with Welkom, tires will be tested on this surface. First good motorcycle race this year if ya ask me, at least with all the hype.

[CyBeR929]

Sook,

Yeah, I've been a member on Colin's site for awhile, but never post over there....I think I go by MTex on that board.

Final qualifying....read 'em and weep...it looks like it's going to be an amazing year:

1 Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1:32.647
2 Sete Gibernau (ESP) Telefonica Movistar Honda 1:32.682
3 Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda Team 1:32.919
4 Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1:33.098
5 Colin Edwards (USA) Telefonica Movistar Honda 1:33.111
6 Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing 1:33.276
7 Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 Yamaha 1:33.296
8 Alex Barros (BRA) Repsol Honda 1:33.359
9 Loris Capirossi (ITA) Marlboro Ducati 1:33.522
10 Kenny Roberts (USA) Suzuki Grand Prix 1:33.543
11 John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki Grand Prix 1:33.598
12 Makoto Tamada (JPN) Camel Honda Team 1:33.679
13 Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing 1:33.815
14 Carlos Checa (ESP) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1:33.884
15 Neil Hodgson (GBR) Ducati D'Antin 1:33.977
16 Ruben Xaus (ESP) Ducati D'Antin 1:34.103
17 Jeremy McWilliams (GBR) Aprilia Grand Prix 1:34.404
18 Norick Abe (JPN) Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 Yamaha 1:34.484
19 Shane Byrne (GBR) Aprilia Grand Prix 1:34.703
20 Nobuatsu Aoki (JPN) Proton Team KR 1:34.845
21 Troy Bayliss (AUS) Marlboro Ducati 1:36.002
22 Michel Fabrizio (ITA) WCM 1:36.982

WTF is going on with Bayliss? Outqualified by a Proton and even an Aprilia? A Kwak in the top 6?

[deez]

"Valentino Rossi defied the critics, the pessimists and the record books with a sensational performance under the South African sunshine at the Phakisa Freeway to take pole position for the betandwin.com Africa’s Grand Prix after a breathtaking final qualifying session. Rossi has dominated every session at the Welkom venue, setting quick and consistent laps to establish himself as the favourite for Sunday’s race, his first with Yamaha since a controversial switch from Honda at the end of last season."


Sete isn't far behind.

[BDA116]

Only a half second covering the top five, five different manufacturers in the top ten.
This season really looks to be off on the right foot anyway. I like the Honda domination as much as any other Honda fan, but this competition really makes for some excitement, and is just what the series needs.
With three Americans in the top ten and another one just a tick out makes it that much more obvious that the promoters/Dorna need to quit arguing and get at least one GP here. Yeah, it's in the works, but it has been for years. This season would be a great one to see here at home, and would draw plenty of fans.
Tomorrow should be an awesome race, and should answer a few questions.

[deez]

Latest development on that front BDA, is Laguna Seca. I hear they are wanting to do some major upgrades so they can get the GP. That is the one place I think it should be over any other, the track just needs to spend some $.

[BDA116]

Right on. There really are a few tracks that could host a GP, it's just a matter of money and arguing over the contracts at this point, I think.
One of them better hurry and get it done.

[ratter]

at least it's may not be a honda white wash anymore, it was good while it lasted, but closer racing will be better.


GO ROSSI

[CBRVFR]

Bold prediction - Qualifying heroics aside, there will not be a Yamaha on the podium tomorrow. But there will be an American rider.

But if I'm so smart, why did I forget to make any predictions in the MotoGP league?