2007 Superbike World Championship Round 3, Europe, Donington,
GB
Final qualifying, 31st March 2007
Circuit: 4.023 kms Conditions: Mostly dry, cold.
ROW TWO FOR MAX, NO START FOR YUKIO.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Max Biaggi will start
from the second row of the grid at tomorrow’s third
round of the Superbike World Championship at Donington. Max
had struggled a little in qualifying, but then put in a blistering
lap of 1:32.182 in the afternoon practice, over two seconds
quicker then his previous best time! He then followed that
by going even faster in Superpole, but many of his rivals
also went quicker. At the end of the 16-rider Superpole shoot-out,
Max finished seventh. His team mate Yukio Kagayama underwent
a further examination this morning before practice and, although
he was eager to race, the medics declared him ‘unfit’
and so he took no part in today’s proceedings.
Troy Bayliss (Ducati) took Superpole with a lap of 1:30.370,
nearly a second quicker then his nearest rival Noriyuki Haga
(Yamaha). Third quickest is Regis Laconi (Kawasaki), with
James Toseland (Honda) completing the front row of the grid.
MAX - 7th, 1:31.689
I was happier after my performance in the untimed session
this afternoon, but I knew Superpole would be hard. I managed
to go a bit faster on my Superpole lap, but so did some other
riders and so I ended seventh. But the second row of the grid
is not so bad, especially if I can make my usual good start.
There are two very long races tomorrow and anything can happen,
so we’ll just have to see how it goes. I’ll be
aiming for two good starts and two good results - hopefully
podiums.
YUKIO (non-starter)
I wanted to race today, but the doctors said ‘NO!’
This morning my back was a bit sore but that was all. I could
remember everything form yesterday, no problem. But if the
doctors tell you not to race, that is that! Now I’m
looking forward to the next race at Valencia and putting these
disasters behind me.
Final qualifying
1 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1:30.370, 2 Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:31.084,
3 Laconi (F-Kawasaki) 1:31.377, 4 Toseland (GB-Honda) 1:31.399,
5 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 1:31.504, 6 Xaus (E-Ducati) 1:31.686, 7
Max Biaggi (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:31.689, 8 Corser
(Aus-Yamaha) 1:31.132, 9 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda) 1:32.077,
10 Nieto (E-Kawasaki) 1:32.178,
|
