SMETS 9TH IN SUN CITY QUALIFYING
16 July 2005 - Suzuki Racing

Team Suzuki''s Joel Smets enjoyed his first taste of the Sun City soil today when he posted the ninth quickest lap during Timed Practice for the Grand Prix of South Africa.

The 36 year old and new father to daughter Aileen since last Wednesday guided the RM-Z450 to sixth and 10th positions in the free practice sessions before registering a time just under two seconds away from Stefan Everts pole position effort.

Smets had his first look at the Sun City course on Friday having missed the race in 2004 after a knee operation. The terrain has been considerably improved allowing more lines and rougher, more technical dirt. Containing the dust will be the biggest problem between Sunday''s motos.

Motovision Suzuki Racing''s Yoshitaka Atsuta had one of his more positive qualification performances of the season and placed 12th. The former Japanese Champion had some carburation problems that affected him on his practice starts but otherwise made little changes to the RM-Z450. He was satisfied with the new track surface but commented that it was slippery in parts.

Joel Smets:

''It was a little bit hard to go training after all the excitement of last week but it has not affected my riding at all. Sun City is great venue even if it is a little superficial because we are in the desert but it is nice place to visit. The track is great. Unfortunately I had to see it on the TV last year, but it looks as though the preparation of the terrain has improved. They have tried to rip the mud but in some sections it is already starting to feel like concrete underneath. The traction varies and it is hard to judge. It is not easy but they have made a lot of work already.''

MX1 Timed Practice: 1 Stefan Everts (BEL) Yamaha 1:52.516. 2 Joshua Coppins (NZL) Honda 1:53.364. 3 Steve Ramon (BEL) KTM 1:53.459. 4 Ben Townley (NZL) KTM 1:53.562. 5 Ken de Dijcker (BEL) Honda 1:54.005. 6 Tanel Leok (EST) Kawasaki 1:54.017. 7 Brian Jorgensen (DEN) Yamaha 1:54.118. 8 Antti Pyrhonen (FIN) TM 1:54.217. 9 Joel Smets (BEL) Suzuki 1:54.314. 10 Paul Cooper (GBR) Honda 1:55.283. 12 Yoshitaka Atsuta (JPN) Suzuki 1:55.920. 15 Danny Theybers (BEL) Suzuki 1:56.752.

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