Vermeulen happy to start fourth

Heavy rain forced the qualifying day to be abandoned, meaning the grid was decided by the times in Friday's dry practice session when both factory Suzukis were strong in fourth and sixth places.

"Obviously it has been really difficult conditions this afternoon for everyone, but from a personal point of view I am really happy to have qualified on the second row," said Vermeulen.

"This gives us a good opportunity to get a good start and be right up the front from the beginning of the race.

"The bike worked well in the dry yesterday and not too bad in the wet this morning. I was fourth and fifth in the two sessions so we have something to look forward to whatever the weather. I hope it is dry though because this is better for everyone and makes for a better race."

Loris Capirossi was less positive than his team-mate and rued missing out on the extra track time.

"I am not too happy really as we still had some problems with the setting and tyre selection from yesterday, and we didn't get a chance to sort it out today," said Capirossi. "But I believe we will be competitive."