Chris Vermeulen has taken a commanding pole position, smashing
Colin Edwards 2002 best lap time at Imola in Italy. Vermeulen on his Winston Ten Kate Honda looped the famous circuit in 1min 48.075secs, bettering Edwards time by 0.261secs.
"The team have been working really hard all weekend and it felt like a good, smooth lap," said Vermeulen. "I was happy and comfy but it was only one lap and tomorrow I've got twenty one laps to do so it will be a hard race."
Vermeulen is keen to cut
Troy Corser's points advantage but he admits race day will be hard. "There are three others here (at press conference) and a few others who can make it difficult for me. Plus you can never rule out Haga! It is a hard place to pass and it is very physical, but I hope to be on the podium."
Second man home was Xerox Ducati's
Regis Laconi who always races well at Imola, and is making a strong showing on his return from injury. His team-mate,
James Toseland is also on for a front row start from fourth place. Laconi is recovering from his arm injury sustained at Assen.
"I am so, so happy to be here," said Laconi. "The power in the arm is not good, but two legs and one arm seems to be enough!” he joked, “The race will be long and hard and race two will be more hard for me. I have to make a good result here for me and Ducati."
Toseland is having a bit of a problem braking as he damaged his hand when he crashed out on Friday. "I crashed out and my finger I brake with got injured, but I'm making the first corner okay," he said. But a slight mistake on his Superpole lap cost him time. "Chris did a fantastic lap, I made a mistake in sector two, but I've got a good race set up, we need to be faster but I think we can be competitive with the changes we have made," he concluded.
