Capirossi Grabs Pole for Japan Grand Prix
The Italian had started Saturday's qualifying session ranked eighth on the provisional grid, but with just over a minute on the clock, he posted a fastest lap time of 2 minutes 04.777 seconds.
That was more than eight-tenths of a second better than Japan's Shinya Nakano, who lapped a sunny Suzuka circuit on his Yamaha in 2:05.588.
"I'm very happy to get pole but I knew I could do it," said Capirossi, a former 250cc world champion who made his Grand Prix debut at the age of 16.
"I came into the pits, told my mechanics to keep the same settings, fit new tires and watch the screens."
The Japanese Grand Prix marks the start of this year's 16-race series. Nakano, gearing up for his first season in the 500cc class, said he could hardly believe he had won a place in the front row.
"We didn't have a great setup when we came here two weeks ago, but the bike is now well balanced," he said.
Italian Max Biaggi, who rode his Yamaha to provisional pole on Friday, clocked 2:05.703.
"Front row was my target, so I'm happy," said the four-time world champion.
Japan's Daijiro Kato, on a Honda, clinched pole position in the 250cc qualifier with a time of 2:07.414.
Italian Marco Melandri was second fastest but reportedly dislocated his shoulder after crashing his Aprilia and will miss today's race.
That puts Roberto Locatelli into second position. The Italian, on an Aprilia, clocked a fastest time of 2:08.546.
In the 125cc class, title favorite Youichi Ui of Japan rode his Derbi to pole position with a fastest time of 2:14.686, narrowly beating San Marino's Manuel Poggiali, on Gilera.
"I think I can improve and fight tomorrow for the victory," said Ui, who won at Suzuka last year.
(Reuter)