Rossi grabs provisional pole
October 17, 2003 - Fox Sports
DEFENDING world champion Valentino Rossi snared provisional pole position for Sunday's Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
Rossi set the pace today ahead of the Ducatis of fellow Italian Loris Capirossi and Australian Troy Bayliss.
Bayliss said he could squeeze some more speed out of his bike in tomorrow's final qualifying session.
In the 125cc class, newly-crowned world champion Daniel Pedrosa was hospitalised after breaking both ankles in a fall during practice.
Australia's Casey Stoner was fourth fastest in the category behind Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo.
MotoGP:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) (Honda) 1:30.631
2. Loris Capirossi (ITA) (Ducati) 1:30.721
3. Troy Bayliss (AUS) (Ducati) 1:30.834
4. Max Biaggi (ITA) (Honda) 1:31.089
5. Sete Gibernau (ESP) (Honda) 1:31.091
6: Nicky Hayden (USA) (Honda) 1:31.515.
7. Carlos Checa (ESP) (Yamaha) 1:31.554
8. Garry McCoy (AUS) (Kawasaki) 1:32.003
9. Jeremy McWilliams (GBR) (Proton KR) 1:32.036
10. Tohru Ukawa (JPN) (Honda) 1:32.118.
