SYKES ON OULTON BSB FRONT ROW
 Tom
Sykes has put his Rizla Suzuki firmly on the front row of
the grid in third place for round three of the Bennetts British
Superbike Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire.
The single 50-minute qualifying session was held in difficult
conditions as the track was drying out following heavy rain
which had fallen until just prior to the session.
Sykes's team spent the weekend honing the chassis settings
on his Rizla Suzuki which paid dividends during qualifying.
His team opted to run the same tyre which he intends to use
on race day; this allowed Sykes to build up to his fast lap
in the tricky conditions. Just as the chequered flag came
out Sykes posted his fastest time sealing third place.
His team-mate Atsushi Watanabe started the session on his
number one machine running wet settings. As the track was
drying rapidly he came in to change to dry settings which
cost him some time. Once back out on track his number one
machine stopped leaving him to make his way back to pick up
his second bike which he ran for the remainder of the session,
working hard to achieve 17th place.
Both riders are confident for race day and have spent time
on the undulating 2.69 mile track in both wet and dry conditions
so they are well prepared for either.
Racing takes place on Bank Holiday Monday May 5th with race
one at 1300 and race two at 1530.
Tom Sykes:
"I started the session on intermediate tyres but when
I got on track I realised it was pretty dry. I came in changed
to slicks and got back out there. I stayed on the same race
tyre and posted my fastest lap on lap 20, so to pull off third
place on the front row of the grid is not too shabby. I'm
happy with my front row start, I just want to get away well
and see what happens. I'm not bothered either way if it is
wet or dry, I was second fastest this morning in the wet and
third in qualifying in the dry. My Rizla Suzuki technicians
have worked really hard to give me ideal setting on my Rizla
Suzuki so a big thinks to them."
Atsushi Watanabe:
"The conditions were difficult today as the track was
drying out. It is still a new track for me so I am learning
every lap. I'm not happy with 17th but I like the track and
will do better in the race."
Jack Valentine - Team Manager:
"I'm very pleased with today as the team did a superb
job. They found a good race set-up to claim third place on
a tyre that has done over race distance. I'm really looking
forward to the race; we need a good start and then we should
be battling for a win. Atsushi had a difficult time due to
the conditions, however, but he is only just outside the top
16 and I'm confident he will pull of an improved result."
Qualifying Results:
1: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 1:36.605
2: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.583
3: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.639
4: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.785
5: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +0.905
6: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +1.303
7: Leon Camier (Ducati) +1.484
8: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +1.960
9: James Ellison (Honda) +2.048
10: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +2.107
17: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +3.139
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