Nakano takes Kawasaki to all-time high.

Shinya Nakano seems to thrive on adversity. Having suffered a 200mph tyre failure at Mugello, the Japanese then took Kawasaki's best MotoGP finish of seventh just a week later at Catalunya - and today at Assen he produced team green's best ever qualifying performance, fifth, despite being slowest of all just 24 hours earlier.

"I didn't expect this fifth position after such a difficult day yesterday. And for this to be the best qualifying result so far for Kawasaki is even better," said Shinya who was quicker than five Hondas, four Ducatis, two Suzukis and a Yamaha - something unthinkable one year ago.

"With the rain we have lost a lot of time for a dry set-up but, finally, this afternoon, with some changes, the rear of the bike was working much better. Our race set-up in the dry is still not perfect, but the bike feels good through the fast sections," he added.

However, Nakano's day wasn't problem free as a substantial part of his seat broke away just as he crossed the line to claim his landmark start position.

"I was lucky that the seat padding that broke away did so just at the end of the final lap, because if this had happened earlier I would have had to abandon my last qualifying run," admitted the Japanese.

But while Nakano was pleasantly surprised with his efforts, Hofmann could only think of what might have been. The 24-year-old German's late session speed having been slowed by his engine momentarily cutting out and then being baulked by a slowing rider on the exit from the final chicane.

"I'm quite upset, because what was supposed to be a fast, fluid lap at the end of the session was much slower than it should have been," fumed Alex. "My motor cut out twice during the lap, and then onto the straight from the final chicane Jeremy McWilliams backed off right in front of me; maybe he didn't realise I was there.

"I struggled to get around him, but there's not a lot of room at that part of the track. This is not what I wanted from qualifying. I think I could have been with Shinya on the second row, but after struggling in the wet I think we have a very good race set-up for both tyres and bike," he added.

"Unfortunately, on his fast lap, it seems Alex may have either accidentally activated the kill switch or there was an intermittent electrical problem which cut the motor and upset his rhythm, but for this he could have been faster," explained team manager Harald Eckl