CRUTCHLOW TAKES BEST QUALIFYING
 Rizla
Suzuki's Cal Crutchlow scored his career best British Superbike
Championship qualifying position by taking fifth place at
the sixth round of the Bennetts Championship at Mondello Park
in the Republic of Ireland today.
In heavy rain at the 2.18-mile-long water-logged track, Cal
only came in once to clean his visor and add a touch of preload
to his forks. He completed 19-laps and was consistently in
contention at the head of the timesheets, ending up just one
tenth of a second off the front row.
Chris Walker was in eighth when a red flag stopped the session
with just over two minutes remaining. A handful of riders
restarted and completed one last flying lap, with Honda's
Tom Sykes the sole improver, pushing 'Stalker' back to ninth.
Honda's Jonathan Rea took pole position in front of his home
fans.
Cal Crutchlow:
"That was a bit of fun in the wet. At a couple of the
corners I was spinning the rear sideways through puddles and
smiling inside my helmet. All I did today was stay out and
get a feel for the bike and tyres in the wet and it worked
well as fifth is my best ever qualifying position in British
Superbikes.
"I've always liked Mondello Park and can't wait to get
racing. There's a lot of talk about the weather but I have
no preference whether rain or sunshine; I have my target of
getting in the top six to achieve."
Chris Walker:
"I am disappointed not to have qualified further up
the grid but the head of the third row means at least I am
starting on the best side of the track for entering the first
corner.
"I like Mondello Park and have enjoyed riding here;
even in the pouring rain it has been good. Qualifying is one
thing but points are awarded only for the races and I'll be
going for it."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager:
"Allowing Cal to stay out on track all session was a
master stroke because he simply felt his way with the tyres
in the rain and went faster and faster. He's been strong all
weekend and there's no reason he can't keep this run of good
form up in the races.
"Chris did a decent job today and although he and his
crew are disappointed with ninth, he can get the bike off
the line like nobody else and I'm sure he'll be mixing it
with Cal in the top six in the races.
"It has rained all weekend so far and we haven't had
a single dry lap in any session. We are in good shape if the
races are wet but if it is dry it's going to be a busy morning
for everyone finding a set-up. Either way I think we are looking
forward to an exciting race day."
Qualification Times:
1: Jonathan Rea (Honda) 1:46.776
2: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.091
3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +1.758
4: Karl Harris (Honda) +2.107
5: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) +2.245
6: Shane Byrne (Honda) +2.396
7: Leon Camier (Honda) +2.689
8: Ton Sykes (Honda) +2.850
9: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +3.038
10: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +4.308
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