Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Final Qualifying Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:39.229
2. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:39.324
3. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:39.341
4. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:39.570
5. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:39.802
6. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:39.936
7. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:40.835
8. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:40.948
9. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:41.073
10. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:41.168
11. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:41.275
12. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:41.447
13. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 1:41.609
14. John Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:41.642
15. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 1:41.767

107 Percent of Fastest Time: 1:46.175

27. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 1:46.421, DNQ


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia Team press information:

ANOTHER GREAT UNDERTAKING

As always happens here in Le Mans the weather conditions are unsettled with many sudden changes of temperature. Although the threatening sky both sessions took place on a dry track and after having achieved the third lap time in the morning, Manuel Poggiali improved hid performance in the afternoon obtaining the a fantastic pole position. It’s the first pole for the Aprilia rider confirming that he is improving race after race. Here in 2001 Manuel won his first ever race and he feels satisfied today as well.

Manuel Poggiali: “It’s my first pole position on 250 class and I feel happy! Anyway this position is not so important for the race. even if the weather conditions are worse tomorrow I will get for sure my first pole position. Anyway I am expecting a dry session tomorrow as I need to settle some other things. In particular the rear tyre slipped to much while the front one was perfect. At the end I made also a few mistakes trying to improve my lap time. The difference between the 125 and 250 on this track is not so big: just a couple of trajectories but the rest is still the same”.