Australia’s Chris Vermeulen will start in pole position for the Dutch MotoGP after clocking the fastest qualifying time in rainy conditions at Assen.
The Suzuki rider will be joined on the front row by championship leader Casey Stoner and Randy de Puniet.
Five-times Assen winner Valentino Rossi was only 11th fastest and will start on the fourth row of the grid for Saturday’s race.
Rossi is 26 points behind Stoner, who has claimed five wins this season.
Vermeulen thrived in the poor conditions in Assen, but his pole setting lap was clocked before the heaviest rain started to fall, while Stoner opted to sit out the final minutes of the one-hour session.
“It was the wind rather than the rain that was causing me most problems,” Vermeulen said.
“I just got ahead of Stoner when the rain started to pour down although some riders did get in some quick laps at the finish.”
Marco Melandri put in a tremendous last lap through the spray on his Honda which lifted him on to the front row only to be knocked back by De Puniet a minute later.
The Italian is joined on the second row by Americans John Hopkins and Colin Edwards.
Qualifying times from Friday’s session for Dutch MotoGP from Assen:
1. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki 1 minute 48.555 seconds
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati +0.017
3. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki +1.024
4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda +1.124
5. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki +1.129
6. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha +1.136
7. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki +1.252
8. Alex Hoffman (GER) Ducati +1.372
9. Dani Pedrosa (ESP) Honda +1.577
10. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati +1.614
11. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha +1.837
