Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results:

1. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:54.312
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:54.328
3. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:54.823
4. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:54.962
5. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:55.063
6. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:55.349
7. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:55.743
8. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:55.923
9. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:55.942
10. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:56.044
11. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:56.063
12. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:56.164
13. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:56.876
14. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 1:57.001
15. Jay Vincent, Honda, 1:57.083


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Marco “Macio” Melandri on front row: second quickest time in Rio qualifying session.


Marco Melandri brought out his claws during the closing stages of the session. Leading the provisional ratings until just 13 seconds from the end, Marco finally lost the top spot to Elias (Aprilia), who today came away with provisional pole. In the final rush, Marco made a slight skid and hit the front fairing with his helmet, sending a conspicuous piece of plexiglass flying. Working hard on details, Macio managed to find an excellent set-up for his Aprilia RSW 250 and declares he’s feeling quite relaxed about Saturday’s race, even if the weather decides to change. Three Aprilia 250s on the front row, in the following order: Elias, Melandri, Nieto


# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 2nd – 1’42.106


“We did some really good work in the afternoon and made some good progress. The bike’s going like a bomb and I can say I’m pretty pleased. It’s very hot here and after a few laps the tyres start slipping, but of course it’s the same for everyone. I’m pleased with the settings we’ve managed to work out for the bike on the first day of practice because, if it decides to rain tomorrow (as they’re forecasting) and then we find ourselves racing in the dry on Saturday, I should be ok as from now. I was very fast today in the third and fourth intermediates – and these are really crucial points as far as the Rio track’s concerned.”