Ocschersleben: Ten Kate Honda final qualifying report

Ten Kate Honda shine in Oschersleben storms.

Rain storms threatened to ruin the final qualifying of the fifth round of the World Supersport championship in Oschersleben, Germany. But as the Supersport field took to the track for their final qualifying session, the rain held off and the circuit dried fast, allowing Chris Vermeulen to move up into second, behind team mate and pole-sitter Karl Muggeridge.

Karl Muggeridge took the third pole for Ten Kate Honda in only five races, relying on the very quick time set in Friday's session.

"Our set up has worked pretty well so far and I'm obviously really happy to put the Honda CBR600RR on pole again," said Muggeridge, "But we still have some work to do to find just that little bit extra."

Chris Vermeulen ignored the pain from his injured thumb to storm into second on the grid as the session came to an end.

"That was easier than yesterday," said Vermeulen, referring to the effort of riding with his badly injured right thumb. "I was just trying to get around the circuit while avoiding mud and water and managed a fast lap! The conditions aren't as quick as Friday but we've worked really hard with WP Suspension and Pirelli Tyres to come up with a great set up. We still have a little more to find so the work isn't over yet."

Team manager Ronald ten Kate confirmed that despite taking the two top grid positions there was still a busy night ahead for the technicians.

"While I am happy to see both my riders at the top again we aren't resting," said ten Kate. "The changing conditions made lots of extra work for us here. This isn't a quick track like Monza, so no one can accuse us of qualifying on top just because of sheer outright speed. This shows that the CBR600RR is a great race bike anywhere, even at a twisting and technical track like Oschersleben."

The forecast for Sunday, race-day, is sunny. While wet racing may produce thrills and spills, nearly all the riders would prefer to race in the dry.

World Supersport Championship
Round Five, Oschersleben
30 -- 31 May, and 1 June 2003

Qualifying -- Combined Times:
1. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Ten Kate Honda, 1m 30.250
2. C. Vermeulen, AUS, Ten Kate Honda, 1m 30.285
3. S Chambon, FRA, Suzuki, 1m 30.314
4. S Charpantier, FRA, Honda, 1m 30.397
5. K. Fujiwara, JAP, Suzuki, 1m 30.506
6. P. Riba, ESP, Kawasaki, 1m 30.599
7. J. VD Goorbergh, NED, Yamaha, 1m 30.620
8. I. MacPherson, GBR, Van Zon Honda TKR, 1m 30.702
9. B. Parkes, AUS, Honda, 1m 30.715
10. R. Ulm, AUT, Honda, 1m 30.769
11. W Daemen, BEL, Van Zon Honda TKR 1m 30.823

-tkh-