Vermeulen on pole

ByEurosport

Published 29/04/2006 at 12:21 GMT

Australian rookie Chris Vermeulen sizzled on his Suzuki as he ignored pouring rain to clinch his first MotoGP pole ahead of Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix. The runner-up in last year's World Superbikes championship always kept at bay the challenge of Nicky H

Vermeulen improved no fewer than nine times on his mark during the practice as his Bridgestone tyres gripped the Istanbul circuit better than the rest.

"It was slippery I tell you," said the smiling 23-year old from Brisbane. "I can't wait for the race tomorrow, we'll wait and see if it's dry or wet," he told our own Randy Mamola.

Hayden in fact looked set to better the Australian, but a misfire killed suspense at the death on his final lap when time had run out.

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"I screwed up that last lap, I'm on the front row but I'm not happy I made that mistake, but a good start for tomorrow. Rain or shine it don't mattter, it's going to be a good race," said the American who was the only Michelin rider in the top seven.

2006 Turkish GP Qualifying Hayden

Image credit: Reuters

While Sete Gibernau and Ducati team-mate and world championship leader Loris Capirossi went third and fourth on Bridgestones, the rest of the Hondas faded badly after running four of six at the front in Friday's dry practice.

Most significant was the poor showing by Hayden's Repsol team-mate Dani Pedrosa who could manage no better than 16th in the pouring rain.

Also quiet were reigning world champion Valentino Rossi, 11th and Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards - both also riding Michelins.

QUIET 125s AND 250s

With rain expected at least part of Sunday, tyres will again be an issue: the Istanbul track will be "green" and damp, which means little grip for the riders

In the 125cc and 250cc qualifying, suspense died the minute the umbrellas went up:

While MotoGP has only one qualifying session, forcing riders to go for it in the wet, no rider was ever going to come close their Friday qualifying times in the lighter categories.

"What can I do, it's raining," said an almost apologetic Jorge Lorenzo after taking his Aprilia to the fourth best time of a session dominated by Anthony West. "I'm very happy for my pole position and for going fourth in these wet conditions," said the Spaniard.

In the 125cc category, another Aprilia - that of Alvaro Bautista - will start on pole as France's Mike Di Meglio clocked the fastest Saturday time.

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