Front row for HM Plant Honda men at Oulton Superbike showdown
Cal Crutchlow has taken his maiden pole position for HM Plant
Honda at Oulton Park with team-mate Leon Haslam joining him
on the front-row.
The 22-year-old rider from Coventry placed his CBR1000RR
Fireblade on pole by more than half a second from Ducati’s
Shane Byrne in drying conditions around the 2.69-mile Cheshire
circuit. Leon suffered a high-side early in the qualifying
session, but despite feeling a little second-hand, the 24-year-old
from Derbyshire took the final spot on the front-row for tomorrow’s
two 18-lap Bennetts British Superbike races. Meanwhile in
the Supersport and Superstock classes, Steve Brogan battled
with flu as he took seventh place in the Fuchs-Silkolene British
Supersport qualifying and second on the Metzeler National
Superstock 1000 grid. Today’s conditions have been both
wet and dry but Bank Holiday Monday’s weather is forecast
to be sunny intervals.
Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
4th position – 1m 37.390s
“I am pretty happy with that as I had a big crash early
in the session and had to use the spare bike. To put my second
Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade on the front-row on race tyres is
pretty good. The boys on my side of the garage did a superb
job. We’ve had some wet time this morning and then it
was dry at the end of the qualifying session so I’m
confident for tomorrow whatever happens. I think there’s
no reason why we can’t go out and win both races. The
crash was just one of those things. It was wet at Druids Corner,
I touched the throttle and I guess I was on a wet patch and
it high-sided me off, I’m a bit sore but that’s
all.”
Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
Pole position – 1m 36.605s
“To get pole position is fantastic! The bike worked
well in all the sessions: we were fastest in the wet and then
the dry; we now just have to continue that and convert it
into wins tomorrow. During the qualifying session it was wet
but drying so conditions were tricky. On my fast lap there
were still wet patches in places – like Hizzy’s
Chicane – but we managed to put a good lap together,
which put me clear of the pack. This is my second pole position,
but my first for HM Plant Honda. I’m ready for a fight
tomorrow as I doubt there will be a breakaway leader as the
racing will be quite tight and tyre management over the full
18 laps will be critical.”
Steve Brogan – Honda (UK) Racing
British Supersport – Honda CBR600RR
7th position – 1m 40.752s
British Superstock – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
2nd position – 1m 40.060s
“I’m feeling a bit better than I did at the start
of the weekend, but I’ve been getting tired and weak
on the bike. I’m not feeling my best but I’ve
been giving 100% and I will do the same tomorrow. It’s
a physical circuit and you don’t get a rest. It’s
uphill, downhill, left and right – but I’m not
complaining: this is my job and I’m going to give it
my best shot. I’m a second off pole in Supersport but
I’m sure I can run with the front group as I think I
have a faster race pace. Wet or dry on the HM Plant Honda
CBR600RR we’re fast, so whatever the weather holds,
I’m ready. In Superstock again I’m confident.
Jon Kirkham has shown he’s strong and the people behind
me are close, but we’ve really worked hard on the set
up of the CBR1000RR Fireblade so I want to make the break,
run my own race and win. We’re not going to be daft:
I’m leading both championships so good points, podiums
and wins are the aim. My HM Plant Honda team have given their
best this weekend and I aim to do the same tomorrow for them.”
Havier Beltran – HM Plant Honda team manager
“At end of day we’re very happy. Leon has a few
chassis issues to contend with but he’s still in fourth
position and not far behind, which is very encouraging. Cal
has been confident in all sessions, so it’s looking
positive for podiums for them both. With Steve we’ve
worked hard with him and his CBR600RR in Supersport to give
him the confidence he needs in the front-end around here.
In Superstock his first qualifying time was void as the bike
wasn’t in Park Ferme at the right time, so we were worried
that if it was wet, we’d be caught out. Fair play to
Steve he went straight out and put his Fireblade on the front
row! He’s worked hard despite the fact that he’s
suffering from the effects of flu, he’s congested and
blowing his nose as soon as he gets off the bike! Despite
this, we are looking forward to all the races tomorrow with
great optimism – let’s just hope we have some
good weather.”
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