Shane Byrne and Leon Camier will start from 3rd and 6th on the grid respectively for tomorrow’s British Superbike race at Croft. Although it was only the second round that the new knockout qualifying format has been used, both riders comfortably qualified in the top 10.
Shane improved his times throughout each qualifying sector culminating with a fastest lap of 1:20.663. Having kept up his 100% front row start record for this season Shane commented;
‘I was hoping to go a bit quicker today but I am happy enough with that. I had quite an unusual moment early on in the session, when the teeth that I had fixed back in following my crash yesterday came out in my mouth! I went out and had done 2 or 3 laps when I had to come back into the pit lane and hand some of my teeth to my slightly surprised mechanic! Other than that I am feeling ok, I have bit of a bruise on the shoulder and leg from yesterday but nothing too serious and I am confident for a good performance for Airwaves Ducati tomorrow.’
Leon’s fastest time of 1:20.802 also came in the final session and his performance has filled him with confidence for tomorrow’s races.
‘I am alright with 6th place; I knocked nearly a second off my times from yesterday so I am pretty happy with that. My race pace is good and I have been fairly consistent on the Airwaves Ducati today. I am hoping its dry tomorrow so I can concentrate on getting a good start and overtaking well; my aim is to get back on the podium for the Airwaves Ducati team.’
Tomorrow’s two 20 lap races at Croft commence at 13.15pm followed by race two at 15.35pm.
Qualifying Results
1. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda 1:20.386
2. Michael Rutter – North West 200 1:20.597
3. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati 1:20.663
4. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda 1:20.706
5. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki 1:20.787
6. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati 1:20.802
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