Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Ben Bostrom spoiled the Bayliss-Edwards show by snatching provisional pole position in the final qualifying session at the Kyalami round of the Superbike World Championship.

Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards had spent much of the session swapping provisional pole and even riding around the track together as if racing. Then, as the session entered the final few minutes Bostrom moved up from third to first on the grid ahead of this afternoon’s Superpole with a best time of 1:41.354, over half-a-second quicker than Bayliss who finished provisional second. Bostrom’s best time last year at the circuit was 1:41.689. Bostrom also holds the circuit lap record at 1:42.928 set last year. Bostrom’s fastest lap was also his final lap.

Ruben Xaus took the final spot on the provisional front row but he’s still nearly half-a-second adrift of the front three. Chili continued to look impressive finishing the session fifth fastest on his factory supported Ducati. Haga could only manage eighth fastest on the Aprilia so is provisionally behind Hodgson and Borja.

World Superbike
Kyalami, 6 April 2002
Final qualifying

Combined qualifying times:

1 Ben Bostrom USA Ducati 1:41.354
2 Troy Bayliss Australia Ducati 1:41.894
3 Colin Edwards USA Honda 1:41.908
4 Ruben Xaus Spain Ducati 1:42.311
5 Pier-Francesco Chili Italy Ducati 1:42.495
6 Neil Hodgson GB Ducati 1:42.687
7 Juan Borja Spain Ducati 1:42.700
8 Noriyuki Haga Japan Aprilia 1:42.739
9 Lucio Pedercini Italy Ducati 1:42.870
10 James Toseland GB Ducati 1:43.018