SYKES TAKES CADWELL BSB POLE
 Rizla
Suzuki's Tom Sykes followed up his top of the time-sheets
in practice yesterday by taking a dominant pole-position in
the new Formula-1 style qualifying session at Cadwell Park
in Lincolnshire today - while team mate Atsushi Watanabe posted
a season's best eighth.
In the new three-tier qualifying system, Sykes was always
in contention at the top and easily made it through to the
final 10-minute shoot-out contested by the 10 fastest riders.
In warm sunshine he saved his best to last, setting the fastest
lap of the weekend on his penultimate effort - nearly a quarter
of a second ahead of the next rider - before sliding off unhurt
at the chicane on his final lap. It is his second pole-position
of the season, repeating his feat from Mallory Park in June.
Watanabe got into the final 10 by finishing ninth in the
second eliminator and he posted his best lap of the weekend
in the final session, taking him up to eighth. Normally that
would be the second row of the grid but the riders will line
up only three abreast because of the narrow nature of the
2.18-mile picturesque track and he will be on the third row.
A bumper crowd is expected for the Bank Holiday Monday race
schedule, with Superbike race one starting at 1345 and race
two at 1630.
Tom Sykes:
"That was a pretty good qualifying session and I have
to be happy with my second pole position of the season. The
new qualifying format certainly makes it all-action and we
didn't have much of break to think; it was a case of get out
on track and give it your all.
"We did a bit of work on the steering and brakes during
the first eliminator as we were safely through and found a
little bit of an improvement. To be honest, my Rizla Suzuki
is working well and I am confident, I can't wait for the races
to start and I want to see if we can add to the tally of wins."
Atsushi Watanabe:
"I am happy with my lap time but made some mistakes.
I'm still learning this track; it is not the easiest with
many hills and narrow Tarmac but I like it anyway.
"I feel recharged for racing after my podium at the Suzuka
eight hour race and visit home to Japan. I want a strong finish
to the season - to show British fans what Atsu can really
achieve."
Jack Valentine - Rizla Suzuki Team Manager:
"I am chuffed to bits with Tom's performance. He is
riding really well, supported by a fantastic team and riding
a well-sorted Rizla Suzuki race bike. This is the real Tom
Sykes - and the real Rizla Suzuki that everyone is seeing
right now.
"Atsu I am really pleased with; he is showing his best
form at a difficult technical track and his potential is clear.
He has a great starting position and we will be looking for
fireworks from him in the races.
"The new qualifying format was a breath of fresh air
for riders, the team and fans. It certainly kept us on our
toes and I think it was really exciting, I hope it continues
for the rest of the season."
Qualifying Results:
1: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 1:27.495
2: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 1:27.716
3: Shane Byrne (Ducati) 1:27.870
4: Leon Haslam (Honda) 1:27.917
5: Leon Camier (Ducati) 1:28.428
6: Michael Rutter (Ducati) 1:28.502
7: Karl Harris (Yamaha) 1:28.844
8: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) 1:28.860
9: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 1:29.000
10: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 1:29.228.
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