Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s Qualifying Results From South Africa:

250cc:

1. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:35.925
2. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:36.469
3. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:36.999
4. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:37.292
5. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:37.392
6. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:37.539
7. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:37.673
8. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 1:37.740
9. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:37.856
10. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, 1:37.900
11. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 1:37.952
12. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:38.060
13. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:38.292
14. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:38.375
15. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, 1:38.406

125cc:

1. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:41.522
2. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:42.090
3. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:42.283
4. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 1:42.375
5. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 1:42.401
6. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:42.584
7. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, 1:42.597
8. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:42.669
9. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, 1:42.777
10. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 1:42.815
11. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, 1:43.028
12. Fabrizio LAI, Gilera, 1:43.035
13. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, 1:43.063
14. Youichi UI, Aprilia, 1:43.139
15. Casey STONER, KTM, 1:43.140


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Poggiali said:”We’re working for Sunday”

Manuel PoggialiI began the defence of his world 250 championship title in brilliant fashion at the Phakisa Freeway in South Africa.

The San Marino rider qualified his MS Aprilia RSW250 on the provisional front row after setting the third best time in the season’s first official qualifying session in Welkom.

Poggiali was always in contention during the session that took place under clear blue skies and warm and sunny conditions, and he’s confident of more improvements having spent the whole day working on his race set-up for Sunday’s opening clash of 2004.

Manuel decided to take things steady in the morning session, before stepping up his pace in the afternoon to show there’s no doubt he will be challenging for a second world 250 title.

“This morning in free practice I decided not too push that hard but in the afternoon I definitely found a faster rhythm and we are moving in the right direction.”

One of the usual problems with racing at Welkom surfaced again today with dirt and dust on the track making it very slippery for the riders to cope with.

Chief engineer Rassano Brazzi said: “The first day is spent cleaning the track to get more grip but I think that Sunday it won’t be as slippery.”

Another problem facing Poggiali today was a brisk breeze that only added to the problems with more dust blown on to the track.

Brazzi added: “That was one of the problems and it makes the bike slide around a lot. It is not so much of a problem on the straight but the wind and dust make the bike difficult to control in the corners.”

Poggiali still managed to set the third best time even though he refused to run a Dunlop qualifying tyre in the closing stages of this afternoon’s session.

He said: “I did 16 laps with the same tyre that I will use in the race. I wanted to verify the set-up of the bike. I am sure that with a qualifying tyre I could do a better lap time, but all my work is for Sunday.


More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

Alex De Angelis makes a quikly progression

Aprilia Racing rider Alex de Angelis found himself in the thick of the quickest times as he began preparing for his first world 250 championship race in South Africa today.

Last season’s world 125 championship runner-up showed how quickly he’s adapted to the more powerful RSW250 by posting the sixth quickest time at the Welkom circuit this afternoon.

The San Marino rider demonstrated his potential with a series of consistent laps and he ended the 45-minute session with a best time of 1:37.539.

Gianni Sandi, Alex’s chief engineer said: “Alex is a very fast guy. He has changed his style very quickly and he is very sensible. He has adapted to the team very well, is very sensitive and he will definitely push the RSW close to the front.”

Alex posted his best time despite some minor problems caused by his front suspension set-up not being perfect.

He said: “At the start I had a problem with the front suspension but at the end we were close to finding a solution and I’m sure we can get better.”

It was a day where Alex spent most of his time trying to adapt his style to suit the Welkom circuit having never ridden at the Phakisa Freeway on the RSW250.

“It has all changed. The 250 is much faster and you can brake much harder than on a 125. Everything happens very fast as well and what I know from last year is now gone, “added a confident Alex.

What gave Alex more confidence was the fact that he completed his best laps while riding on his own. Opting not to follow other riders was a deliberate tactic so Alex could learn the circuit on a 250 by himself.

He added: “I preferred to ride on my own. I wanted to learn the track again on my own and also work on the set-up without following somebody.”