round nine - Assen, Holland
Final qualifying - 3 September 2005

CHARPENTIER HEADS WINSTON ONE-TWO AT ASSEN

World Supersport championship leader, Sebastien Charpentier, will start
tomorrow's ninth round race at Assen in Holland from pole position after setting
the fastest time in this afternoon's second qualifying session. His Winston Ten
Kate Honda team-mate, Katsuaki Fujiwara, will start alongside Charpentier on the
grid after setting the second fastest time today.

A difficult qualifying session, involving two red flags and several crashes, did
not prevent the Winston pair from delivering a perfect qualifying performance
for the Ten Kate team at its home round, where Charpentier can secure the title
in tomorrow's 16-lap race around the 5.9km Assen circuit.

Ronald ten Kate - team manager:

"That must have been one of the most difficult qualifying sessions of the season
and the two red flags and all those crashes almost upset our qualifying
strategy. Both riders proved how mentally strong they are by using the last few
minutes to post their best laps and give the team a one-two on the grid for
tomorrow. Having said that, we all know that Sebastien can win the championship
tomorrow in front of our home crowd. However, it looks like Kats is determined
to postpone the party! There will be no team orders for the race but we'll all
sit down tonight and go through a plan for tomorrow."

Sebastien Charpentier - fastest, 2m08.165s

"Today was worse than yesterday with a lot of guys riding around as if they were
going to the village to pick up some bread! Many riders were trying to follow me
and the situation was quite dangerous at times. I had to return to the box once
or twice just to try and find some track for myself. This pole position is very
special because it was such a complicated session and because this weekend is so
important for the team. But the bike is feeling very good and I'm quite relaxed
for tomorrow. I will just have to try to get away at the front and control the
race myself."

Katsuaki Fujiwara - second fastest, 2m08.434s

"I'm very happy with second place although I made a small mistake at the back of
the circuit - otherwise I think it could have been pole position. But I'm very
happy with the bike and we made a big step forward with our settings today. The
guys in the team had to work very hard after I crashed yesterday to give me an
even better bike. It was a difficult session with all the crashes but I didn't
have any problems with my neck today and I'm confident for tomorrow when,
obviously, I have to win."

World Supersport, Assen - final qualifying times:

 1 Sebastien Charpentier FRA (Winston Ten Kate Honda)  2m08.165s
 2 Katsuaki Fujiwara JPN (Winston Ten Kate Honda)      2:08.434
 3 Michel Fabrizio ITA (Honda)                         2:08.520
 4 Kevin Curtain AUS (Yamaha)                          2:08.890
 5 Fabien Foret FRA (Honda)                            2:09.063
 6 Gianluca Nannelli ITA (Ducati)                      2:09.294
 7 Chambon FRA (Honda)                                 2:09.382
 8 Alessandro Corradi ITA (Ducati)                     2:09.414
 9 Robbin Harms DEN (Honda)                            2:09.510
10 Broc Parkes AUS (Yamaha)                            2:09.544