Day Two
Crutchlow takes fourth career pole
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) saved his best for last to take a new track best and head up Superpole qualifying, his fourth pre-race ‘win’ of the 2010 season. Crutchlow was over 0.7 seconds faster than the next best rider, and in nine Superpoles this year, he has the best individual record. Behind him, Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) was second at his favourite circuit on the calendar, as he prepares to go out tomorrow and defend a 37-point championship lead. A resurgent Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was a positive third, as he rebuilds from some less than satisfying recent results. Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) finished an impressive fourth, earning himself a front row start. He had crashed heavily here last year but today’s result wiped out many memories of his 2009 misfortune.
Xaus’s BMW being fourth means that there are four different machines on the front row, and with Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) and Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) fifth and sixth restively, there are six different bikes in the top six grid slots. Scassa, a privateer, was top Ducati rider of any kind, with Ducati Xerox factory pilot Michel Fabrizio one place behind. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) will start from row two, taking eighth place as the last rider home in the final Superpole session. Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Corse Ducati) just missed the final eight places of Superpole three, with James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) tenth. Max Neukirchner went 11th for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda and Tom Sykes ended a fruitful day 12th and on the third row for the Kawasaki Racing Team. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) crashed in two Superpole sessions, and now starts from the fourth row; championship contender Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) is only one place ahead of him.
Cal Crutchlow: “I definitely hoped to be here and I’d rather give away a pole for a race win, but you’ve got to take them when you can. I enjoyed that, it was a good session for us. Most of the sessions have been strong and my Yamaha is working well. Max is hard to beat in the championship and especially round here. I can see a big battle tomorrow, maybe ten guys at least at the start. I thought I could have got into the 57s because I was riding very deep into the corners, and I actually had another qualifier left but I’m happy with that.”
Max Biaggi: “A first row result is good for me, but compared to last year’s race we’ve got a lot more work to do this weekend. Something we changed on the bike makes it a bit different so it’s not the same feeling. It’s better in other tracks but here we’ve got some difficulties. It’s getting a little bit better, the bike is not where I want, but I’m happy with my pace. We’ll see tomorrow.”
Jonathan Rea: “It is hot out there, but there’s a lot of breeze so it’s not too bad. I actually didn’t really know where to go after Superpole because I haven’t been in the top 3 for some time. I’d just like to thank all of my team, our package isn’t perfect but what we do have in the Ten Kate garage is a really hard work ethic and we’re trying. Hopefully we can get away good tomorrow and try and stay with these two guys as long as we can. I’ve got nothing to lose!”
Ruben Xaus: “First of all I’d like to give my best to Troy and hope he recovers as soon as possible because when two riders are on the team on fire, they go ahead. We did a good job today, the bike is now working well, we made a big step in Imola and physically I’m not feeling perfect but I was able to ride fast.”
World Supersport
Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) took pole, his second of the year, with his very last lap of qualifying, displacing his team-mate Katsuaki Fujiwara to second in the process. Despite crashing in qualifying today, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) went third while a spectacularly successful qualifying for Kawasaki was completed by Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni) fourth quickest and therefore the third Kawasaki rider on the front row. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda riders Kenan Sofuoglu and Michele Pirro were fifth and sixth fastest, respectively. Gino Rea put a smile on local faces as he put his Intermoto Czech Honda seventh, ahead of his British countryman, Chaz Davies (ParkinGO BE1 Triumph), just one place back.
Times: 1. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2’02.800; 2. Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2’02.817; 3. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 2’03.082; 4. Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2’03.193; 5. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 2’03.397; 6. Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 2’03.421; 7. Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2’03.450; 8. Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 2’03.641; 9. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 2’03.757; 10. Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 2’03.959, etc.
Superpole | SBK QP2 |
1 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 1’58.018 2 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 1’58.743 3 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 1’59.094 4 Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 1’59.135 5 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 1’59.179 6 Luca Scassa Ducati ITA 1’59.393 7 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 1’59.451 8 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 1’59.571 9 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 1’59.699 10 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 1’59.699 11 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 1’59.829 12 Tom Sykes Kawasaki GBR 1’59.830 13 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 1’59.841 14 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 1’59.995 15 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 2’00.258 |
1 Michel Fabrizio ITA 1’59.730 1’58.695 2 Max Biaggi ITA 2’00.174 1’58.952 3 Noriyuki Haga JPN 1’59.277 1’59.840 4 Luca Scassa ITA 2’00.463 1’59.454 5 Lorenzo Lanzi ITA 2’00.475 1’59.466 6 Cal Crutchlow GBR 1’59.571 1’59.821 7 Ruben Xaus ESP 2’00.273 1’59.725 8 Jakub Smrz CZE 2’00.348 1’59.741 9 Jonathan Rea GBR 2’00.442 1’59.815 10 James Toseland GBR 2’00.451 1’59.925 11 Carlos Checa ESP 2’00.153 2’00.153 12 Sylvain Guintoli FRA 2’00.739 2’00.309 13 Leon Haslam GBR 2’01.003 2’00.317 14 Max Neukirchner GER 2’00.701 2’00.400 15 Shane Byrne GBR 2’00.534 2’00.411 |
— Ducati Report
The Ducati Xerox team and riders Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga were disappointed with today’s Superpole results, having performed much better in previous sessions on the Brno track. Michel, having comfortably reached the final Superpole phase, was unable to make the most of the tyres and closed in seventh, while Noriyuki, victim of two crashes in the first two phases, had to be satisfied with fifteenth position on the grid for tomorrow’s races.
In this morning’s second qualifying session, on a cooler track than yesterday (42°C), the Ducati Xerox riders continued to work hard with their technicians to optimize the set-up of their 1198 machines. Noriyuki, having registered the fastest time in first qualifying, was unable to improve on that this morning, citing a lack of front grip. Despite this, he closed qualifying in third position overall, thanks to yesterday’s flying lap, a solid result for the Japanese rider after last year’s tough Brno event. Michel, third yesterday, waited for the very end of the session before making his impact, going out on a new tyre and recording the fastest lap seen so far, in a very impressive 1m58.6 that projected him to the top of the timesheets, ahead of Max Biaggi and team-mate Noriyuki.
Superpole 1: both factory riders went out on race rubber on a track that had reached 60°C in temperature. Michel immediately set a very fast time that placed him fourth on the timesheets and meant he could return to the garage, certain of safe passage to phase two. Noriyuki on the other hand was less fortunate; during the third split of his first lap, which looked like being a very quick one (under 1m59), he lost the front and found himself on the ground. Fortunately unhurt, he had time to return to the garage and make a second exit, with his second bike. This time Haga was able to set the ninth fastest time, though he cited a lack of rear grip and less feeling with regard to his first bike.
Superpole 2: Fabrizio decided to go straight out on a qualifier in this second phase, a wise decision as it allowed him to record a 1m59.2 on his very first lap, which translated into fourth position at the session’s end. Haga, not satisfied with the time set on a race tyre, returned to the track on the second qualifying tyre but unfortunately today was not his day. He lost the front of his bike once again and a second fall was enough to put an end to the Japanese rider’s Superpole session. Noriyuki will line up on the fourth row, in fifteenth position, for tomorrow’s races.
Superpole 3: Roman rider Michel went out on the second “Q” but subsequently recorded a faster lap time on a race tyre. His best time (1’59.4) in this final phase was enough to secure a position on the second row of tomorrow’s grid, in seventh.
Michel Fabrizio
“We’ve been going really well in all the sessions so far and this morning was no different. I’m just sorry that Superpole didn’t really go as planned, as I had hoped to be on the front row to be honest but a few small things prevented me from putting together a clean lap and I finished in seventh. I’m still confident for the races as I know we have a good pace and, if I can make a good start, I think I can be up there with the guys at the front.”
Noriyuki Haga
“In this morning’s qualifying I didn’t have the same level of feeling as yesterday, but we still found good pace and this gives me confidence for the races. Then came the Superpole and what can I say? We didn’t need two crashes like that. In the first I was maybe pushing too hard because I was very comfortable on the bike and knew I could make a fast lap; then in the second phase, and on the second bike, I immediately had a strange feeling, as if the front was too high and before I could react the same thing happened again – I lost the front and found myself back on the ground. Starting from the fourth row will be difficult but we hope we can get back on the path that we were following yesterday.”
— Althea Ducati
TBC
— Yamaha Report
Crutchlow rips up the Brno lap record with an incredible fourth Superpole of the year
In a textbook repeat of his domination of last year’s qualifying in World Supersport, Cal Crutchlow again today left his competitors standing to smash the Brno lap record, over three tenths faster than the previous record taken by Troy Bayliss in 2008. Crutchlow dominated the entire Superpole, running the first two sessions on a race tyre, he was fastest in each heat and nearly half a second clear of his closest rival in the second Superpole.
Crutchlow’s team mate James Toseland struggled to replicate his British counterpart’s performance. Toseland made it through the first heat using a race tyre then switched to a qualifier for the second. He struggled to improve on his time with the stickier tyre and changed to his second qualifier mid-session. Again this did not produce faster times and so Toseland will start tomorrow’s two Brno races from tenth position on the grid.
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (1st, 1’58.018)
“It’s great to be on pole today but I’d rather give away the pole for a race win, but you’ve got to take them when you can. I really enjoyed the Superpole, it was a good session for us, and we were strong through it all. We’re working well and I’m pleased with that but Max is definitely the one to beat tomorrow. All credit to the guys who are on the front row. I can see it being a big battle tomorrow; I don’t see one guy heading off but at least ten at the start and maybe five at the end. The lap was good, I think I could have done a 1.57 because I ran really deep into one corner which cost me a bit of time. We had another qualifier left sat in the garage but I didn’t need it in the end.”
James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (10th, 1’59.699)
“I really struggled with the qualifier tyres today. I made it through the first session with no problems with a race tyre and was confident that we could get through the second with the qualifier. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the grip I was expecting. Our race pace is good, so it’s going to be important for me to have a good start to get with the front pack when they break.”
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
“Cal did an incredible record lap today in Superpole. His race pace is also really good here this weekend so we have every confidence he can achieve a good result in both races tomorrow. James is going to have a tougher start than Cal on the third row but his race pace is also quite good so it’s important for him to have a good start and then I believe he can stay with the front pack and challenge them.”
— BMW Report
After Troy Corser’s (AUS) heavy crash on Friday, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport rider Ruben Xaus (ESP) gave the people in the BMW garage a reason to be happy on Saturday: In scorching conditions, the Catalan rider secured his best ever qualifying result with the young team. He will start Sunday’s races from the front row of the grid. The 32-years-old finished the Superpole qualifying fourth, only four hundredths of a second off third placed Jonathan Rea (GBR). Rea’s compatriot Cal Crutchlow will start from pole position, just in front of Italian Max Biaggi.
Ruben Xaus: Fastest lap Qualifying Practices: 1:59.725 min / Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:59.632 min / Fastest lap Superpole 3: 1:59.135 min
“First of all I hope Troy will be fit soon, and he can race in Silverstone. Obviously I am really happy with today’s result. I was not expecting fourth. I am still feeling the effects from the injury I sustained in Misano. My team has done a great job today and I must once again thank them for all their efforts and their hard work. Unfortunately I used two qualifying tyres in Superpole 2 to ensure I made it to Superpole 3. Therefore I went out in the final session with worn tyres and was unable to put in a really fast time. This really is the first time this year I have been able to benefit from the qualifying tyre, and I hope I can continue like this. We still have some areas where we can improve the bike, but overall it was incredible. I am really looking forward to the races tomorrow.”
Davide Tardozzi (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team Manager): “The team and I are very, very happy with Ruben’s performance today. This is the best ever qualifying position for Ruben with this team and this is what we know he is capable of. Obviously it is disappointing not to have Troy out there, but Ruben did a great job for the whole team. It is quite clear to see the bike is improving, and Ruben is developing a good feeling. I think we could see both riders challenging for the top in future races. Our aim for tomorrow’s races is the top five. So let’s wait and see.”
— Suzuki Report
Team Suzuki Alstare riders Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Haslam experienced mixed fortunes during qualifying for the World Superbike ninth round at Brno in the Czech Republic:
Guintoli managed to improve his bike’s grip problems from yesterday and advance into Superpole 3, before just missing out on a front row grid spot, but finished with the fifth fastest lap and will start tomorrow’s pair of 20-lap races from the second row of the grid.
It was not such a good day for Haslam, who struggled to find grip with his qualifying tyres and ended 14th – his worst performance of the season. The young Briton will have to dig deep tomorrow, provided that he and the team can solve their problems in the morning warm-up.
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) took Superpole – his fourth of the season, -with series leader Max Biaggi (Aprilia) second. Third was Jonathan Rea (Honda), with Ruben Xaus (BMW) fourth, just a whisker ahead of Guintoli.
Sylvain Guintoli – 5th, 1:59.179: “I am definitely very happy to have got into Superpole 3, but a little bit disappointed not to have got a place on the front row of the grid. It was very, very close and it’s a shame, but after yesterday I am so happy with the big improvement we made today. The track is definitely coming in now and it’s so much better than yesterday. The bike felt good and strong and I really enjoyed Superpole today. We hardly changed anything from yesterday except the gearbox and the engine characteristics. The top speed was better today and I was also able to go through the corners faster. I think that the biggest change today was the track’s grip level. It seems that when there is little or no track grip, we really struggle. Considering how we ended yesterday, I think the team has done a great job and I’m really looking forward to the races tomorrow.”
Leon Haslam – 14th, 1:59.995: “I am very disappointed with how things went today and I’m not pleased to finish 14th – the first time I’ve been out of the top five and my worst result in qualifying this year. Today we had similar problems to yesterday and we didn’t manage to solve those problems so that’s why we are where we are. I’m having a lot of problems with lack of grip – especially on qualifying tyres. My times on race rubber are pretty good, but once I put on the qualifiers we seem to run into trouble.
“My grid position is going to make the races very difficult, but ahead of that we have to solve the problem. We’ll have a look at all the data and talk to the telemetry boys and see if there are some pointers. Then, we’ll have to see if the changes we make in the warm-up improve the bike. It’s going to be a very long, hot and difficult day tomorrow, but my aim is to make two good starts and fight as hard as I can.”
— Ten Kate
TBC
— Superstock 1000
Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia STK) took pole at Brno by only 0.013 seconds from Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) setting up what looks like a classic race tomorrow at a track where Berger has always shown good form. Sylvain Barrier (Garnier Racing BMW) was third in qualifying and the Ducati of Lorenzo Zanetti (SS Lazio Motorsport) was fourth, making for a cosmopolitan front row. Michele Magnoni (Bevilaqua Corse) was a strong fifth on his Bevilaqua Corse Honda.
Times: 1. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 2’03.591; 2. Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 2’03.604; 3. Barrier S. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 2’03.837; 4. Zanetti L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 2’04.088; 5. Magnoni M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 2’04.182; 6. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 2’04.279; 7. La Marra E. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 2’04.360; 8. Baroni L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 2’04.853; 9. Lammert D. (GER) BMW S1000 RR 2’04.985; 10. Bussolotti M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 2’04.990, etc.
— Superstock 600 – Race
Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha) won a crash-laden Superstock 600 race at Brno, shortened to seven laps after the red flags were put out to halt the race after several crashes. Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) was second in the race and is also second in the championship, with Guarnoni on 136 points, Marino on 106. Berardino Lombardi (Martini Corse Yamaha) was the final podium finisher, as pole man Josh Elliot (Direct CCTV Racedays Kawasaki) crashed out of contention.
Times: 1. Guarnoni J. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 14’59.203 (151,418 kph); 2. Marino F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1.189; 3. Lombardi B. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 2.444; 4. Fanelli D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 5.051; 5. Le Coquen S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 6.883; 6. Schacht A. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 7.747; 7. D’Annunzio F. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 13.899; 8. Krajci T. (SVK) Yamaha YZF R6 13.994; 9. Lonbois V. (BEL) Yamaha YZF R6 15.454; 10. De Tournay R. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 15.808;
Points (after 6 rounds of 10): 1. Guarnoni 136; 2. Marino 106; 3. D’Annunzio 70; 4. Lombardi 59; 5. Karlsen 51; 6. Fanelli 51; 7. Calero Perez 44; 8. Lanusse 39; 9. Le Coquen 32; 10. Major 27