FRONT ROW FOR AIRWAVES DUCATI
The Airwaves Ducati duo today sealed their 36th front row
start since they joined the GSE Racing team back in 2005.
In this afternoon’s 50 minute qualifying session Gregorio
Lavilla recorded a best lap time of 1:25.477 to go 2nd on
the grid. Leon Haslam will start from 4th having achieved
a time of 1:25.813.
Having been the only rider to go under the 1minute 26 mark
in morning practice Greg found his rhythm in the opening minutes
of qualifying. With a new tyre rule meaning each rider is
limited to 3 rear tyres for qualifying, both Greg and Leon
chose to go out on a race tyre to start. Even with this Greg
was able to clock a lap time of 1:25.943 on his 4th lap to
take the lead. Leon was unfortunate to hit the gravel at Druids
early on, temporarily delaying his progress in the session.
Greg and Leon both recorded their fastest times late on;
Greg had held pole for a majority of qualifying until Jonathan
Rea stole it away in the closing minutes. Greg then bettered
his time with a lap of 1:25.477 but it was not enough to regain
the top spot from Rea. Leon moved himself from 5th on the
grid onto the front row with a time of 1:25.813 as the session
drew to a close.
Both riders were happy with their front row starts for the
first round; 4th placed Leon Haslam said, “I am happy
enough, we had a few problems today but I am really happy
that I was still able to get a front row start for tomorrow.
It was close between the top few riders today so we look set
for some good racing tomorrow.”
Greg Lavilla, who will start from 2nd on the grid, was pleased
with his days work saying, “Today was not too bad although
it is a shame I was not able to achieve the pole position.
I was on a soft race tyre for much of the session so to qualify
where I have is a good result for me. My bike is set up really
well for race tyres so I did not want to affect that by putting
a qualifier on. I am pleased with the past two days but this
is a good track for the Ducati 999F06’s so a pole would
have been good here but I am happy with 2nd. I am feeling
confident so we will see what will happen in the races tomorrow.”
Round one of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship
starts tomorrow, Monday April 9th.
Qualifying Results
1) Jonathan Rea – HM Plant Honda 1:25.235
2) Gregorio Lavilla – Airwaves Ducati 1:25.477
3) Leon Camier – Bike Animal Honda 1:25.739
4) Leon Haslam – Airwaves Ducati 1:25.813
5) Chris Walker – Rizla Suzuki 1:25.832
6) Cal Crutchlow – Rizla Suzuki 1:25.999
7) Shane Byrne – Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport 1:26.223
8) Ryuichi Kiyonari – HM Plant Honda 1:26.278
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