[CBRVFR]

From crash.net


Valentino Rossi has made the Italian Grand Prix his own in recent years, but today the five-times world champion was forced to play a supporting role in front of his adoring home crowd, having been outpaced to the tune of 0.4secs by Sete Gibernau.

Nevertheless, Rossi remained 0.7secs clear of third fastest Max Biaggi - at a circuit where it was believed Yamaha would suffer greatly on top speed - making the day far from a disaster.

"I have put myself in quite a good place, so I am quite happy. We've already improved the bike a lot this morning and again this afternoon. Sete is on top form; so to be more competitive I still need to improve my general set-up," said the Italian.




1. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 49.553 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 49.961 secs
3. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Honda 1min 50.777 secs
4. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1min 50.845 secs
5. Carlos Checa SPA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 50.954 secs
6. Alex Barros BRA Repsol Honda 1min 51.008 secs
7. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 51.183 secs
8. Makoto Tamada JPN Camel Honda 1min 51.185 secs
9. Kenny Roberts USA Team Suzuki 1min 51.547 secs
10. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 51.56 secs
11. Colin Edwards USA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 51.758 secs
12. Shinya Nakano JPN Fuchs Kawasaki 1min 51.827 secs
13. Alex Hofmann GER Fuchs Kawasaki 1min 52.019 secs
14. Norick Abe JPN Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1min 52.231 secs
15. Ruben Xaus SPA d'Antin Ducati 1min 52.494 secs
16. Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati Marlboro 1min 53.09 secs
17. Neil Hodgson GBR d'Antin Ducati 1min 53.372 secs
18. Jeremy McWilliams GBR MS Aprilia 1min 53.428 secs
19. Shane Byrne GBR MS Aprilia 1min 53.486 secs
20. Nobuatsu Aoki JPN Proton Team KR 1min 54.568 secs
21. Kurtis Roberts USA Proton Team KR 1min 54.74 secs
22. Michel Fabrizio ITA Harris WCM 1min 55.611 secs
23. Andrew Pitt AUS Moriwaki Honda 1min 55.717 secs

DNQ:
24. Chris Burns GBR Harris WCM 1min 58.174 secs

[ratter]

I wish Rossi still rode a honda.

[CBRVFR]

C'mon, Colin, WTF? 1.4 seconds behind Sete?


Full MotoGP final qualifying times from the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, the fourth round of the 2004 world championship.


1. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 49.553 secs
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 49.922 secs
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 49.926 secs
4. Alex Barros BRA Repsol Honda 1min 50.058 secs
5. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1min 50.315 secs
6. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Honda 1min 50.445 secs
7. Makoto Tamada JPN Camel Honda 1min 50.584 secs
8. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 50.699 secs
9. Kenny Roberts USA Team Suzuki 1min 50.736 secs
10. Shinya Nakano JPN Fuchs Kawasaki 1min 50.807 secs
11. Carlos Checa SPA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 50.858 secs
12. Colin Edwards USA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 50.97 secs
13. Alex Hofmann GER Fuchs Kawasaki 1min 51.303 secs
14. Ruben Xaus SPA d'Antin Ducati 1min 51.405 secs
15. Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati Marlboro 1min 51.647 secs
16. Norick Abe JPN Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1min 51.659 secs
17. Shane Byrne GBR MS Aprilia 1min 52.355 secs
18. Jeremy McWilliams GBR MS Aprilia 1min 52.368 secs
19. Neil Hodgson GBR d'Antin Ducati 1min 52.496 secs
20. Nobuatsu Aoki JPN Proton Team KR 1min 52.904 secs
21. Kurtis Roberts USA Proton Team KR 1min 54.066 secs
22. Andrew Pitt AUS Moriwaki Honda 1min 54.556 secs
23. Michel Fabrizio ITA Harris WCM 1min 54.695 secs
24. Chris Burns GBR Harris WCM 1min 58.174 secs

[CyBeR929]

Yeah, that's why I haven't posted any times....too depressing watching Colin languish that far down in the order. There is talk of him switching back and forth between the '02 SBK forks and the '04 211V forks. To me, he's got to make a decision and go with it. I don't think the '02 SBK is the way to go though...he's proven he can reliably finish 7th or so with the SBK fork, but his talent is more than 7th. Plus, all the development for the 211V won't even consider the SBK fork, so why bother. The past is the past...time to paint yer arse white and run with the antelopes....embrace the '04 fork.

Kletus burned up another one of dad's machines

Edit: Looks like the Repsol boys are finally getting it sorted out

[Rios929]

Great Job by Nicky!

[BigRoy]

So cmon then guys and girls, race predictions please!

I'm still going for Sete, guys on a roll

[MACI4LIFE]

Originally Posted by CyBeR929

The past is the past...time to paint yer arse white and run with the antelopes....embrace the '04 fork.

[phozed]

the kid (Hayden) keeps it together for the 1st few laps and has a shot at his 1st win. I'm also waiting for Rossi to toss it - he's riding soooo close to the edge (trying to) keep up w/Sete and the Hondas. I'd like to see Colin stop struggling too...

Sete
Nicky
Marco

[CBRVFR]

Sete's the man of the moment, but this race is seldom won by non-Italians.

I think it's gonna be

Biaggi
Rossi
Gibernau

...after which they'll have to tie Max's feet to the earth, and put Valentino on suicide watch...

[oldgoat]

Rossi
Biaggi
Gibernau
hayden
If its a dry race

What happened the Ducati's this year ??

[fl-929]

What's up with Aprilia? Porto on the 250 is just off the Aprilia GP guys qualifying times.

[deez]

Originally Posted by CyBeR929

Yeah, that's why I haven't posted any times....too depressing watching Colin languish that far down in the order. There is talk of him switching back and forth between the '02 SBK forks and the '04 211V forks. To me, he's got to make a decision and go with it. I don't think the '02 SBK is the way to go though...he's proven he can reliably finish 7th or so with the SBK fork, but his talent is more than 7th. Plus, all the development for the 211V won't even consider the SBK fork, so why bother. The past is the past...time to paint yer arse white and run with the antelopes....embrace the '04 fork.

Kletus burned up another one of dad's machines

Edit: Looks like the Repsol boys are finally getting it sorted out

Colin got outdone by Kenny on the zook, bested by a Duck, and a fuggin Kwak!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so disappointed but at this point I hope he just gets the front end to his liking. He keeps saying how the '04 fork is great for Sete/Max but he doesn't ride like them or have their style. Well yeah, they are running around at the front In all seriousness, I hope he gets it sorted, a couple of more races/qualifying for him like this, his season is going to be ruined.

Tomorrow I think it will be Sete, Val, and Max dicing for the podium positions, perhaps Nicky might serve them a **** sandwhich and get on there. I'm glad Sete is finally getting the attention he deserves, I said it all of last season that he was the one to watch after Val but most people were talking about other riders Should be a good race, that back straight is fast as ****.