BAYLISS (DUCATI XEROX) SHRUGS OFF INJURIES TO TAKE SUPERPOLE
IN WET CONDITIONS AT VALENCIA
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) shrugged off his recent spate
of injuries to take his fifteenth career pole position and
third of the year in four races. Despite a lengthy excursion
into the gravel during Superpole, the Australian found the
damp conditions to be to his advantage as he took the top
slot from the early pace-setter Ruben Xaus (Ducati). The final
two positions on the front row went to the surprise of the
day, Josh Brookes (Honda) and Troy Corser (Yamaha), but few
riders completed their full quota of laps, preferring not
to risk everything on the wet Valencia track surface.
"I'm not going to dwell on my injuries because I've
had enough time to get better" declared Troy. "I've
come here feeling quite good and I was immediately quite happy
with the way I felt on the bike considering my condition.
The situation seems to be back to normal and the team and
I are happy with the way things have gone. I think for anyone
to ride around here in the rain it's pretty dangerous and
when I saw Ruben's lap time I knew it was quite fast and that
I would have to put my heart in my mouth to beat it. I came
out of Superpole in one piece and hopefully we'll get a dry
race tomorrow. I'm also really happy to see Ruben back up
here with me as we were team-mates in the past. I know what
he's capable of and I'm sure he's going to stick his head
in there tomorrow".
Lorenzo Lanzi was quickest in the wet final free practice
session for the Ducati Xerox Team and then posted sixth quickest
time in Superpole, just a fraction behind championship leader
James Toseland (Honda).
"I am quite pleased because I found the right feeling
in the wet and in the free practice before Superpole I was
the quickest" commented Lorenzo. "During Superpole,
we waited a bit too long before going out onto the track,
the riders ahead of me all went in before me and all improved
their time. When I went in however, a few drops of rain came
down and I was unable to improve. I feel OK for tomorrow and
I am sure there will be two great races, either in wet or
dry conditions ".
Starting-grid: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox)
1m51.982s; 2. Xaus (Ducati) 1m52.085s; 3. Brookes (Honda)
1m52.199s; 4. Corser (Yamaha) 1m52.733s; 5. Toseland (Honda)
1m52.801s; 6. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m52.942s; 7. Haga (Yamaha)
1m52.961s; 8. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m53.634s; 9. Fabrizio (Honda)
1m53.750s; 10. Muggeridge (Honda) 1m54.108s; etc.
TV Coverage : Eurosport (Europe) : Sunday
15 April 1200 Race 1 (live), 2215 Race 2 (delayed). British
Eurosport (UK) : Saturday 14 April 2100 (delayed), Sunday
15 April 1015 all races (live). Eurosport 2 (Europe) : Saturday
14 April 1615 Superpole (live), Sunday 15 April, 1700 Race
2 (delayed). La7 (Italy) : Sunday 15 April 1410 Race 1 (delayed),
1530 Race 2 (live). RaiDue (Italy) : Sunday 15 April 1730
all races (highlights).
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