Vermeulen on Assen pole

Australian Chris Vermeulen will start from pole position for the World Superbike round at Assen on Sunday, Septmeber 4, 2005, having pulled out a lap of 2:04.179 from apparently nowhere.

Britain’s James Toseland had dominated the Saturday qualifying session, but was unable to match the time of Vermeulen, who had improved by almost 1.5 seconds from qualifying. The British reigning champion had to settle for second on the grid with a time of 2:04.899. Meanwhile Ducati team-mate Regis Laconi has been ruled out of the race following a big highside during Friday.

Championship favourite Troy Corser will start from third, Britain’s Chris Walker will start from 13th, and Rizla Suzuki wildcard Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh will start from 23rd on his WSB debut.

Combined qualifying and Superpole:

1. Vermeulen 2:04.179

2. Toseland 2:04.899.

3. Corser 2:05.005.

4. Haga 2:05.078.

5. Muggeridge 2:05.256.

6. Pitt 2:05.304.

7. Kagayama 2:05.434.

8. Martin 2:05.560.

9. Chili 2:05.691.

10. Lanzi 2:05.936.

11. Clementi 2:06.036.

12. Neukirchner.

13. Walker 2:06.401.

14. Vizziello 2:06.454.

15. Abe 2:06.532.

16. Bostrom 2:07.624.

Outside Superpole:

17. Gimbert 2:06.557

18. Borciani 2:06.642.

19. Laconi 2:06.691 (will not race)

20. Alfonsi 2:06.734.

21. Cardoso 2:06.872.

22. McCoy 2:06.880.

23. Vd Goorbergh 2:06.997.

24. Bussei 2:07.424.

25. Sanchini 2:07.627.

26. Velini 2:07.921.

27. Pedercini 2:08.608.

28. Praia 2:08.859.

29. Menzen 2:09.893.

30. Nickmans 2:09.893.

31. Withag 2:10.400.

32. Moojman 2:11.979.

33. Mrkyvka 2:12.402.

The Supersport pole has gone to Sebastien Charpentier, with Katsuaki Fujiwara and Michel Fabrizio.

Superstock 1000 has Kenan Sofuoglu on pole, with Brit Richard Cooper in 13th, while Superstock 600s has Corti on pole, with Barry Burrell in 20th, and Patrick McDougall in 22nd. Fellow Brit Northover is in 34th.