In qualifying it was looking like a straight fight between the local top suzuki boys and the Qatari team, with Folch Yamaha not looking as strong as in the past.
I don't know how the race is going but I do know that Thomas Hinterreiter crashed the factory BMW after just 20 minutes or so after having a problem with the bike. As usual, I know a bit more but I can't say nothin'...

Tom is OK and the team are rebuilding the bike with the intention of using the rest of the time as a test session.

Great to hear that Stephane Mertens is in the paddack, albeit hobbling around on crutches...but it's fantastic to hear that he's up and about again...and he wants to be back for Oschersleben!