Kenny chases pole at Donington.

Team Telef?nica MoviStar Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr and Sete Gibernau claimed second and twelfth places in today's first qualifying runs for Sunday's British GP.

Roberts actually sat on provisional pole for a minute or so at the end of the session, until Brazilian rider Alex Barros put in a faster lap after the flag to claim the top slot. The Brazilian needed something special to topple his American rival, however, and produced a new lap record to take the overnight pole.

"I think we're better off than at the last race," a happier Roberts revealed, "We have the same stuff parts and motor-wise, but it feels a bit easier to go quicker here than at Assen. The track is less demanding on the chassis, with more normal corners that you just go into then ride out of.

"We're going through normal stuff, choosing race tyres, and that's looking good - I was able to turn fast laps at the end of my runs with the tyres. We also tried the new Michelin front tyre, which seems better. As normal I'll be aiming at finishing in the top group. There were a couple of guys not here this afternoon and, with Capirossi also out injured, that improves our chances of a good finishing position. Overall, things are the same - we still need to improve the bike."

"Kenny started with the settings as tested at Barcelona, and they seem to be working okay," commented technical adviser Warren Willing, "We've made some slight variations, but you're working with a compromise here because of the nature of the track, part where you need the bike to turn well, and the other part where the emphasis is on stability for braking. The compromise is less critical with the four-stroke than the two-stroke, because it has the power for the riders to steer it from the rear to finish off the corners. They can use riding technique more to make up for problems."

Gibernau had a minor spill in the morning and, in the timed afternoon session, was struggling with engine settings, which prevented him from making his own attack on the front positions. But other overall improvements left him confident, with one more day of qualifying remaining.

"We have found something chassis-wise today that feels really good - but all session I was having a problem with the power surging after I closed the throttle," the Spaniard explained, "It seems to be some mapping problem, and my guys are trying to find it now. Considering this, my lap time is not bad, and I'm getting more confident with this bike. The way it turns is more how I like it, and the whole feeling is better. Without the engine problem, I'm sure I could have been up in the front two rows, like Kenny."

"Kenny has his head down and is getting on with the job, while Sete did well to come back from a tip-off this morning," concluded team manager Garry Taylor, "He fell, and then went quicker. That's the sign of a rider who is well focused."

Factory Suzuki rider Akira Ryo put his Suzuki GSV-R in 19th, after making his first acquaintance with the difficult English circuit. The reigning All-Japan Superbike Champion is racing as a wild card rider in England.

Defending champion Valentino Rossi missed the session, however, after crashing heavily in morning free training. The 2002 points leader has not qualified, and is a dubious starter for Sunday's race, after suffering concussion in the crash.