FRONT ROW FOR HASLAM
Leon Haslam achieved his 10th front row start of the season
at Donington Park today in round 12 of the Bennetts British
Superbike championship. Gregorio Lavilla will start from the
second row in 8th position.
Both Airwaves Ducati riders were keen to record fast laps
early in qualifying as the weather looked likely to change.
Greg was pushing hard when he lost the front at Redgate corner
20 minutes into the session. He quickly returned to the track
on his spare bike, clocking a fastest time of 1:31.620 on
his penultimate lap, to finish in 8th. Leon was feeling confident
for qualifying having finished top in this morning’s
final practice. He set a fast time early on before fractionally
improving on it with a time of 1:31.109 on his final lap,
to finish 3rd.
Gregorio Lavilla was disappointed with his result but he
is still feeling confident for the race. “I crashed
fairly early on in the session which wasn’t good; I
lost the front going into the corner but I am not sure why.
Then I had to get on my second bike, which I have not ridden
much, and it was difficult to push hard on it. I went out
on a soft qualifying tyre and I felt good but I had a few
issues with the bike which meant that I only got one good
lap in. I feel bad for the team and for myself because I am
sure that if I had been out on my number one bike I would
be on pole position. I am happy enough with the second row
considering I was not on my preferred bike. I am confident
that I can still put in a good performance tomorrow.”
Although Leon Haslam was aiming to achieve pole position
at his home circuit he is happy with his grid position. “I’m
gutted not to have got pole here; I qualified on a race tyre
which is unusual. My race simulation was almost perfect recording
1’31s for over half race distance which has set me up
really well for tomorrow. I got held up on my flying laps
with both of my qualifying tyres which meant that I could
only match what I had already done on a race tyre. I am happy
enough with the front row, qualifying in 3rd puts me on the
inside which is actually better for me.”
Race one starts at 12.47pm tomorrow, Sunday September 23rd,
with race two commencing at 16.23pm.
Qualifying Result
1) Tom Sykes – Stobart Vent Axia 1:30.901
2) Chris Walker – Rizla Suzuki 1:31.055
3) Leon Haslam – Airwaves Ducati 1:31.109
4) Ryuichi Kiyonari – HM Plant Honda 1:31.185
5) Cal Crutchlow – Rizla Suzuki 1:31.255
6) Jonathan Rea – HM Plant Honda 1:31.399
7) Shane Byrne – Stobart Vent Axia 1:31 559
8) Gregorio Lavilla – Airwaves Ducati 1:31.620
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