Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha) second - 1'30.222 "Unfortunately we are not in pole position as we are not at 100% with the set-up. If we were at 100% I think we could have made the 1'29s. My rhythm is good, but the feeling with the bike is not perfect, especially from the front. But it is difficult here to have the perfect set-up for the whole track. We lost time this morning trying some tyres with Michelin, but finally we won't use them. We will make set-up changes tomorrow morning. As for the championship, fortunately I have good experience of being in this position, but every time is like the first. It won't be a problem sleeping tonight though. Sete is very strong here, and we know it will be a good contest."
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. 1st Qualifying 2nd Qualifying 1S. Gibernau Honda ESP 1' 30.600 1' 30.122 2 V. Rossi Yamaha ITA 1' 30.222 1' 30.577 3 L. Capirossi Ducati ITA 1' 31.571 1' 30.613 4 C. Edwards Honda USA 1' 31.387 1' 30.625 5 M. Tamada Honda JPN 1' 31.632 1' 30.716 6 A. Barros Honda BRA 1' 31.601 1' 30.757 7 M. Biaggi Honda ITA 1' 31.718 1' 30.767 8 A. Hofman Kawasaki GER 1' 32.039 1' 30.819 9 T. Bayliss Ducati AUS 1' 31.979 1' 30.873 10 M. Melandri Yamaha ITA 1' 31.760 1' 30.927 11 S. Nakano Kawasaki JPN 1' 32.338 1' 31.093 12 R. Xaus Ducati ESP 1' 31.526 1' 31.191 13 C. Checa Yamaha ESP 1' 31.929 1' 31.359 14 N. Hayden Honda USA 1' 31.377 1' 31.786 15 J. McWilliams Aprilia GBR 1' 32.866 1' 31.491 18 N. Abe Yamaha JPN 1' 33.753 1' 32.452