The final 500cc Grand Prix qualifying session at Donington Park was held on a wet, but drying track. No riders were able to improve on their times from Friday’s qualifying session until the closing moments.

Only Norick Abe, Tohru Ukawa, and Shinya Nakano improved their times. Abe did not improve his grid position, but Ukawa improved from 18th to 16th fastest. Nakano’s time was good enough to put him on the front row, fourth fastest, bumping Jurgen van den Goorbergh and the Proton to row two.

Valentino Rossi was on a flying lap as time was running out but was balked by a slower rider in the final corner. Rossi, who crashed in Friday’s qualifying session, will start from the 11th position.

500cc Qualifying Results From Saturday At Donington Park:

1. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:32.515
2. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:33.071
3. Loris Capirossi, Honda, 1:33.188
4. Kenny Robert, Suzuki, 1:33.307
5. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki, 1:33.599
6. Max Biaggi, Yamaha, 1:33.599
7. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:33.606
8. Norick Abe, Yamaha, 1:33.619
9. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:33.654
10. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:33.664
11. Alex Criville, Honda, 1:34.001
12. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Proton, 1:34.421
13. Chris Walker, Honda, 1:34.683
14. Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, 1:34.803
15. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha, 1:34.950