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LOCATELLI LEAVES IT LATE TO GRAB ISLAND POLE ITALIAN Roberto Locatelli stormed to pole position for tomorrow’s Australian 125 GP at the Phillip Island circuit this afternoon. In conditions far more favourable than the wet and windy weather that kicked off the weekend’s action, Locatelli was in inspired form throughout today’s proceedings, topping this morning’s second free practice session before claiming the 17th pole position of his career. Locatelli ended with a best time of 1.37.417s, a massive improvement of 2.231s from yesterday when a strong gusting wind battered the 4.44km circuit. Although the wind had dropped today, air temperatures were still a fresh 15 degrees, a stark contrast to the searing temperatures experienced at the last two races in Qatar and Malaysia. The 30-year-old left his challenge late, snatching top spot from Jorge Lorenzo in the closing minute, to finish just 0.1s outside of Stefano Perugini’s 2003 pole position best. Locatelli, who goes into tomorrow’s penultimate race of the 2004 campaign occupying second place in the world championship standings, said: “I’d forgotten how exciting getting pole position can be. This is the result of great work by the team and I have to thank Aprilia for the support. I am very happy because Aprilia still fighting for the constructor world title, and I want to do my best to help them achieve that important goal. It is not easy to find the right set-up at this track but today my bike was perfect.” Rauch Bravo Aprilia rider Steve Jenkner claimed his second front row start of the season by grabbing fourth position. He clocked a best lap of 1.38.147s and also knocked over two seconds off his provisional time. Provisional pole-setter Gino Borsoi dropped down the standings five places this afternoon but his sixth position on the second row is easily his best qualifying performance of the season, his previous best a ninth. Two places further adrift on the second row will be Spain’s Hector Barbera, who currently lies third in the championship, just two points adrift of Locatelli. Tomorrow’s race will be run over 23-laps, and weather forecasts predict more bright and sunny conditions for round 15 of the world championship.
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