Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon Qualifying Results:
1. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:43.775
2. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:45.644
3. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:45.683
4. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:45.743
5. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:46.720
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:46.853
7. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:48.000
8. Thierry Van Der Bosch, Aprilia, 1:48.499
9. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:49.048

Did Not Qualify (Out of 107%):
Jay Vincent
Haruchika Aoki
Marco Melandri
David Checa
Sebastian Porto
Toni Elias
Raul Jara
Jarno Janssen
Shahrol Yuzy


More, from an Aprilia press release:

Aprilia Racing Press Information

2002 MotoGP World Championship

Round 4 – Le Mans (France) 17/18/19 May 2002

250 Class – Friday

Marco Melandri tests in the wet

Fine but intense rain started falling just a few minutes after the 250 test sessions started. The first out on the track, when it was still dry, stopped the clocks at times which most of those who went out after in the wet were unable to match. Only nine participants qualified, with the remaining 20 unclassified as they attained times over 107% slower than that of the leader (Battaini – Aprilia). Tomorrow’s official tests will ensure that today’s 20 unclassified riders will be able to sort out their positions.

Even so, the totally different track conditions in the afternoon meant that Marco Melandri was able to make some good laps in the wet and thus help work out the set-up of the bike if adverse weather conditions continue.

Marco Melandri # 3 (MS APRILIA RACING) – 2:02.824

“I feel good on the bike, and my ankle’s not playing up – it was only towards the end that I started getting tired and had some difficulty changing gear. The good thing is that the afternoon session was very useful for trying out the settings in the wet – it’ll come in handy if the weather doesn’t improve. In the morning, when the track was dry, we found out what to do for the race, but the rain put an end to the programme we’d drawn up. I really like this track, but it can be terribly slippery in the wet. If the rain keeps falling, we’ll be working to get the right set-up to adapt to the characteristics of this particular tarmac.