Qualifying practice for the GP of the Czech Republic took place today at the Autodrom Sosonova, Ceska Lipa. In balmy conditions, cloudy but hot, and with most of the competitors having experienced the fast flowing circuit, the free practice sessions saw most of the field in and out of the pits as the riders searched for the optimum set – up.

The specially constructed off road section offered plenty of opportunity for ‘big air’ over the tabletop and ski jumps and promises some spectacular action on race-day. During timed qualifying the competition turned tactical as the riders looked to latch on to the quick qualifiers for fast lap times.

At the end of the session Eddy Seel (BEL-Husqvarna) had clinched pole position for the first of Sundays races with a 1:13:016 lap. Ivan Lazzarini (ITA-Husaberg) grabbed second with a 1:13:709, ahead of third placed rider, Jurgen Kunzel (GER-KTM) who registered a best time of 1:13:910.

Closing out the front row, Massimo Beltrami (ITA-Husqvarna) logged a 1:13:933. As a result of the longer lap times at the Autodrom Sosnova tomorrows races will run for 10 laps ( normally 12 laps) for races 1& 2, with the SuperFinal scheduled for 20 laps instead of the usual 24.

Classification Time Practice S1:
1. Eddy Seel (BEL – 100) Husqvarna Factory
2. Ivan Lazzarini (ITA – 7) Rigo Husaberg Factory
3. Jurgen Künzel (GER – 9) KTM Factory
4. Massimo Beltrami (ITA – 26) Husqvarna Factory
5. Gérald Delepine (BEL – Vertemati Factory)