Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser lived up to his ‘Mr Superpole” reputation with a stunning performance at the end of the 16-rider Superpole shoot-out in today’s World Superbike qualifying at Monza in Italy.

Series leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati) had stormed his way round the 5.793 kilometre course and looked a certainty to claim pole position. But after a cautious start, Corser stormed back into contention with a faster second split. The third split was pure magic, with his drive through and out of the Parabolica virtually perfect that put him three-tenths-of-a-second ahead of his rival.

Third quickest was Alex Barros (Honda) with Regis Laconi (Kawasaki) fourth - making it four different manufacturers on the front row of the grid.

Corser’s team mate Yukio Kagayama struggled with a very painful right hand and then made a small mistake at the first chicane on his Superpole lap. It was enough to relegate him to the ninth fastest time and a third row grid place. Joining him on row three is Team Alstare Engineering Corona Extra Fabien Foret after posting his best qualifying result of the season so far.

Troy Corser - 1st, 1:46.058:
“After taking things pretty steadily yesterday because of the weather, it was good to be able to push harder today. The bike worked pretty well and the guys gave me a great package to use on my Superpole lap. In the free practice before Superpole we tried a new qualifying tyre and decided to use it for Superpole. I was a bit cautious on the brakes going into the first chicane, but when I felt that the tyre was going to stick ok, I started to go for it.

“The second split was good and the third was perfect. For that I have to thank the whole team. Races at Monza are never easy because it’s so difficult to get a gap on the field and I think there's going to be a lot of tactics going on. My aim is to stay in the front group, see how it goes, and then make my move when I think the time is right.”

Yukio Kagayama - 9th, 1:47.156:
“My right hand is a problem. I put on some strapping and that helped a lot, but after one lap or so I started to lose feeling in the hand so I don’t think it’s going to be possible to race with it strapped up. Although there are many fast corners here, there are also some chicanes and that’s where I find it hard getting the bike to change direction quickly enough.

“I made a small mistake at the first chicane on my Superpole lap and the back end came off the ground. That lost me a lot of time and I could only finish ninth today. I need two very good starts tomorrow and my hand to last the distance without any big problems. It’s not going to be an easy day!”

Fabien Foret - 12th, 1: 48.009:
“On the positive side I managed to qualify for Superpole ok and that was good considering the problems I had in practice: things mainly to do with the rear shock. We solved the problem in the afternoon untimed practice and I felt more comfortable straight away. But I don’t think I was aggressive enough on my Superpole lap and so ended 12th. It’s going to be two long, hard races tomorrow and I need good starts if I am to have any chance of good results.”