Carlos Checa might not have any notable achievements to his credit in MotoGP but he has been going great guns ever since he switched to World Superbikes. This year he is on the Althea Ducati, the one man team which is purportedly getting factory backing. He has been going well on it and now has set the pole position timing at the Superpole at Assen. Reigning World Champion Biaggi on the factory Aprilia could get to only sixth and behind the privateer Aprilia of Noriyuki Haga who qualified in 4th position. The new Kawasaki ZX 10 R has been doing reasonably well in the hands of Tom Sykes who qualified it in P7 while Chris Vermeulen did not make into the Superpole.