Today's final qualifying session for the Assen TT was marked by brief, heavy rains and strong winds, interspersed with periods of sunshine during which the pavement dried rapidly. As a result, yesterday's qualifying times set the front row for the race.

The top qualifiers expressed disappointment at their inability to improve on yesterday's times, and hoped for dry conditions tomorrow. "But if it's not dry, I hope it's wet," said pole-sitter and series points leader Valentino Rossi. ""This afternoon is completely for nothing. It's not wet, not dry. When it started to become dry, it started to rain. When it started to become wet, there came the sun. It's only work for the mechanics to change the settings." Likewise, Loris Capirossi described the track conditions as "not completely wet, half the track is dry, half is wet. This is very difficult to test something." The teams' frustration was compounded by the fact that prior years' settings were unusable, due to changes in the track configuration as well as the four-stroke engines.

Rossi was pleased with the new track surface, but said, "I don't like the new corners very much. With the four-stroke it's very difficult. I never understand how much brake or don't brake, which gear. It's very difficult to change direction. It's a difficult point, but not technical, I think."

Max Biaggi also had several tire and suspension combinations to test in the dry, but never had the opportunity to complete a dry lap. The new parts seem much slower. We don't use the horsepower. Because last year we could cut the chicane; now there is two chicanes, one much slower. I think it's very, very strange. Of course, now in my mind I have a picture of last year's racetrack. We have tried to find the limits to go into the new corner, but still we are searching for the right direction."

Like the other riders, Kenny Roberts Jr. was disappointed in his inability to try more dry setups. But Roberts was pleased with his progress in testing after the Barcelona round. "We did find some good direction, especially in the throttle connection, which has never been our strong point. The characteristic of the engine is much the same as the 500 in the very first 5% of the throttle. [The recent test] was really the only time that we've ever been able to change that. And it made a big difference for myself, because you don't have an explosion of power when you first touch it, and that was a big change. We keep crossing out things that aren't working. We have our work cut out for us. It's interesting, and it seems to be getting better. But again, this track is special. You can make up a lot just knowing the circuit and knowing how to approach it, and I think that's helped us somewhat."

Loris Capirossi was the quickest qualifier aboard a two-stroke engine. Unlike the other top qualifiers, he was pleased with the opportunity to test on rain tires early in this morning's practice. "I remember so well the weather in the race in Suzuka was very bad for us, but after the testing in France at Michelin's track, we have some improvement, and also this morning went so well. This is very important for us.

Capirossi also was happy with the new surface, but preferred the old track configuration "because the fast S, especially the fast S [before the start/finish line]?not everybody used full gas, but this S is different." As Roberts had yesterday, Capirossi expressed concern that a rider who crashed in the first curve might slide forward into traffic in the second. But he noted, "the difference between the two-stroke and four-stroke at this track is not big like in Mugello and Barcelona. Sure, to beat a four-stroke is not so easy, but yesterday we had a very good qualifying practice. Anyway, I am quite happy. I am comfortable for tomorrow, and I think it is possible to drive a very good race for us."

Latest weather reports forecast a 40% chance of rain tomorrow and 60% tomorrow night, although some at the press conference suggested that the chance of rain tomorrow afternoon will be lower. The race will start later than usual due to tomorrow's World Cup match between South Korea and Turkey.