Rossi Grabs Pole at Dutch Moto GP

Topics:  TT Assen, Valentino Rossi

VOA Sports
June 24, 2005

Italian motorcyclist Valentino Rossi has won his fourth pole of the season by posting the fastest time in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix race in Assen, the Netherlands.

Rossi, a six-time defending champion at the race, piloted his 500-cc Yamaha around the 5.997-kilometer track in a best time of 1:58.396 seconds.

Spain's Sete Giberneau was second, just over 0:30 back. Italian Honda rider Marco Melandri was third fastest (1:59.632).

Rossi leads the championships standings with 145 points and is looking for his fifth straight win of the season Saturday. Rossi has won six of seven races this season and leads Melandri by 58 points in the overall standings.

Some information for this report provided by AP.