Sport in Short: Motorcycling

KEVIN SCHWANTZ yesterday secured his third pole position in as many races this season for today's Japanese Grand Prix. However, the double world champion Freddie Spencer, making his comeback after illness, crashed and suffered concussion injuries to his wrists and needed stitches on a badly damaged right hand. Although he may lose a finger, he could be back for the German Grand Prix in June.

JAPANESE GRAND PRIX (Suzuka, final practice times, Japan unless stated) 500cc: 1 K Schwantz (US) Suzuki 2min 9.239sec (163.344kph, 102.090mph); 2 S Itoh, Honda 2:10.164; 3 W Rainey (US) Yamaha 2:10.229; 4 M Doohan (Aus) Honda 2:10.247; 5 A Barros (Bra) Suzuki 2:10.703; 6 D Beattie (Aus) Honda 2:11.355; 7 K Magee (Aus) Yamaha 2:11.391; 8 D Chandler (US) Cagiva 2:11.553; 9 N Fujiwara, Yamaha 2:11.892; 10 T Honma, Yamaha 2:12.154. 250cc: 1 T Harada, Yamaha 2:11.089 (161.039kph, 100.649mph); 2 T Okada, Honda 2:11.790; 3 D Romboni (It) Honda 2:12.043; 4 L Caprirossi (It) Honda 2:12.151; 5 J-P Ruggia (Fr) Aprilia 2:12.499; 6 J Kocinski (US) Suzuki 2:12.689; 7 H Bradl (Ger) Honda 2:12.816; 8 L Reggiani (It) Aprilia 2:12.912; 9 N Aoki, Honda 2:13.442; 10 M Biaggi (It) Honda 2:13.515. 125cc: 1 D Raudies (Ger) Honda 2:20.045 (150.739kph, 94.246); 2 N Ueda, Honda 2:20.531; 3 K Sakata, Honda 2:20.789; 4 T Tsujimura, Honda 2:21.093; 5 H Aoki, Honda 2:21.102; 6 F Gresini (It) Honda 2:21.147; 7 A Saito, Honda 2:21.381; 8 O Koch (Ger) Honda 2:21.480; 9 K Wada, Honda 2:21.515; 10 R Waldmann (Ger) 2:21.858.