SECOND ROW FOR CRUTCHLOW
Rizla Suzuki's Cal Crutchlow qualified seventh on the second
row of the grid for tomorrow's fourth round Bank Holiday Monday
British Superbike races at Oulton Park in Cheshire.
The 50-minute qualifying session was declared dry despite
damp patches on the circuit from an earlier rain shower. After
10 minutes the track dried completely and Crutchlow changed
from a cut front tyre to full slick. He only used one qualifying
tyre and set his fastest lap right at the end to secure his
best Superbike qualification to date.
Chris Walker finished 13th after battling to find a set-up
on his Rizla Suzuki that would allow him to slash his lap
times. Ducati's Gregorio Lavilla will start from pole position.
Superbike racing starts at 1300 on Bank Holiday Monday, May
7th, at the picturesque, flowing, 2.69mile Oulton Park circuit
in Cheshire.
Cal Crutchlow:
"That was an exciting qualifying session. We didn't
know if it would be wet or dry, I tried both my bikes and
ended up getting out on my qualifier with only just enough
time to set a quick lap - and thankfully it was good enough
for the second row.
"I have been asking for more rear braking power all
weekend and we got it right this afternoon which was brilliant.
My Rizla Suzuki feels strong and I like Oulton Park, so I'm
hoping for a couple of decent results."
Chris Walker:
"I haven't forgotten how to ride a Superbike in the
last week and my Rizla Suzuki was good enough to make the
podium at Silverstone. Put simply I haven't got the bike dialled
in to Oulton Park yet.
"Tomorrow is a new day and it's the racing that counts
so I'm looking forward to that and getting my head down and
doing my best. I've always been a better racer than qualifier
so the guys in front better watch out, there's a very determined
Rizla Suzuki that'll be piling on the pressure wherever it
can."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager:
"Cal put in an amazing performance given his lack of
experience, the unpredictable weather and challenging conditions
through qualification. Seventh is a good position on the second
row and it also marks his fastest lap of the weekend - he
was only two-tenths from being third. He has good race pace,
is fast improving, and has been practicing his starts so our
hopes are high for the races.
"Chris has struggled to get to grips with his Rizla
Suzuki since the start of the weekend. He is the same rider
on the same bike that finished on the podium at Silverstone,
but Oulton Park has caught him out. He's nothing if he isn't
a fighter though and with his cracking starts you can't rule
him out no matter where he starts from on the grid. We'll
be giving him 100 per cent support tomorrow.
"The last factor that could come in to play is the weather.
It is forecast to rain tomorrow and if it does then it's back
to a level playing field for everyone. Come rain or shine,
it's certainly going to be exciting."
Qualification Times:
1: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1:35.430
2: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.164
3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.492
4: Tom Sykes (Honda) +0.561
5: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +0.591
6: Shane Byrne (Honda) +0.665
7: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) +0.715
8: Leon Camier (Honda) +0.898
9: Karl Harris (Honda) +1.411
10: Dean Thomas (Suzuki) +1.425
13: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +1.572
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