Under wet conditions at the Istanbul Park Circuit in Turkey, rookie rider Chris Vermeulen claimed his first ever pole position for the third round of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix (MotoGP).
Vermeulen had to fight with yesterday's fastest rider in dry conditions, Nicky Hayden, who was able to put his Repsol Honda in second place, just 0s206 off the pole.
Spaniard Sete Gibernau beat his teammate and standings leader, Loris Capirossi, in the battle of Ducati boys taking third place leaving the Italian in fourth.
Fifth spot belong to the other Rizla Suzuki bike with John Hopkins, followed by two rookies, Randy de Puniet and Casey Stoner. Top ten places were completed by Shinya Nakano, Colin Edwards and Kenny Roberts Jr.
Seven times World Champion and winner of the past round in Qatar, Valentino Rossi, appeared in eleventh position with the Yamaha M1. The Italian, who continues without any pole position in the 2006 season, ended-up almost three seconds from Vermeulen.