Exactly one week ago Valentino Rossi and Tohru Ukawa were thrown off their bikes at the British Donington Circuit, both ending up in hospital. Today, seven days later, both riders of the Repsol Honda Team have finished the first qualifying session of the German Grand Prix on the first and second row of the provisional starting grid. Valentino Rossi, fastest in this mornings free practice, was beaten this afternoon by Jeremy McWilliams and his 2-stroke Proton, surprising everybody and taking the provisional pole position, just like Olivier Jacque, who took third on his 2-stroke Yamaha. Tohru Ukawa, still convalescent after his fracture in the right foot, has made the eight fastest time in the morning and improved one position in the timed afternoon session.
In the 250cc Fonsi Nieto is still setting the pace of the category, making the fastest time in both practice sessions, followed both times by his highest rival in the fight for the title, the Italian Marco Melandri. His team-mate Toni Elias, third at the British Grand prix, finished sixth with some set-up problems. Fourth this morning despite suffering a light crash, Elias has been working today focussed on the settings of his Aprilia and thinking about the race n Sunday.
In the 125cc Dani Pedrosa and Joan Olivé will have a hard time this weekend on a circuit with a lot of slopes, where having a powerful engine will be of great advantage. Pedrosa, fifth fastest in the morning, improved one position in the afternoon, putting himself on the first row of the provisional starting grid. His team-mate Olivé, twenty-second in the free practice, made up positions in the afternoon as well, finishing sixteenth and placing himself on the fourth row of the provisional grid.
