Report - Final Qualifying - Muggas

WSB – Phillip Island, Australia, 3rd March, 2007

Weather: sunny, morning 30° C, afternoon 22° C
Track: dry, morning 33°C, afternoon 33° C

Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) crashed after hitting oil on the track at Hayshed Corner, and missed his chance to compete in Superpole, despite qualifying in the top 16. The oil was laid by his team-mate’s machine after a technical problem during the final free qualifying session, who then moved from 17th qualifying position up into Superpole.

While the second superpole of the season was going on, Muggas was undergoing tests in the hospital because he suffered a short concussion during his crash and he may also have broken an ankle or damaged a tendon, but if he passes medical checks he hopes to compete at his home circuit. In case Australian will be able to ride, he will have to start from the fourth row of the grid.

Muggas comments: “What a disaster…. In the morning qualifying we thought we try out something new to go the next step forward but instead we went backwards, so no improvement of the time there as we were hoping yesterday after the last few laps which were pretty consistent in the mid to high 33’s and the bike was handling ok. Anyway we still had Superpole to come to go for the final starting position but before was also another free practice session, which should have given us enough time to work on the race setup. That is if you actually get to complete the session. But on my second lap coming to Hayshed I see oil on the track, but too late, the bike already flicked me off. I am not sure if I can ride tomorrow, but we will see what they say. I was out for a second or two and it was a fast crash. We were just unlucky but I'm pretty frustrated.”

SERGIO BERTOCCHI - TEAM MANAGER - “It was just an unlucky day for us - oil from Josh’s bike on the track and unfortunately Karl crashed on it and hurt himself – hopefully he’s not too bad and will be able to compete tomorrow…”

Reigning World Champion Troy Bayliss took his first pole position of the season, followed very close by Honda’s James Toseland. The front row is completed by the two Yamaha Italia Riders Corser and Haga.