Max Biaggi: “We’ve Got Good Pace - As Good As The Others”
Jun 17, 2007
Suzuki Racing
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Max Biaggi and Yukio Kagayama finished Superpole qualifying with the fifth and eighth fastest times and will start tomorrow’s pair of World Superbike Championship 24-lappers from the second row of the grid in Misano, Italy.
For Biaggi, it was a considerable improvement from yesterday, while Kagayama’s placing was down to a bike setting that didn’t work out.
Troy Corser (Yamaha) rode a faultless lap to take his 40th Superpole with fellow countryman Troy Bayliss (Ducati) second, Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) third and series leader James Toseland (Honda) fourth.
Max Biaggi - 5th, 1:35.578:
“I think we’ve made a little improvement from yesterday and I feel that the track condition is getting better because there’s more rubber down. But, I’m not entirely happy because of the general track condition is not good and that should not be the case with a new track. The layout is not too bad but there are not many overtaking places, so it’s important to get a good start in tomorrow’s races. Of course, I don’t know what the conditions will be like tomorrow but it’s going to be a day of two long and hard races for sure. We’ve got good pace - as good as the others - so I’m sure it’s going to be tough out there. Tyre wear is not going to be such a big problem for us, but once again that will depend on the conditions. I don’t think we’ll make too many changes in the warm-up tomorrow, just see how the conditions are and only change something if we think there’s a real need. We found out that yesterday’s cutting-out problem was something to do with a bit of the wiring, so that has been sorted out and it shouldn’t happen again. “
Yukio Kagayama - 8th, 1:36.206:
“This afternoon we made an adjustment to the engine and the feeling wasn’t so good. Because of that I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to and couldn’t do a faster Superpole lap. For tomorrow we will change the setting back and I should be able to go quicker. We have already chosen our tyres for tomorrow and I think they should be able to last the distance without too many problems. The first corner is not far from the start line so it’s important I make a good start - especially as this track does not have many overtaking places. I have got to be right up with the leaders right from the start or else it will be very hard to make a good result. “
SUPERSTOCK 1000:
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Xavier Simeon posted the second quickest time in qualifying today and is confident that he can go all-out for victory in tomorrow’s 14-lap race.
Matteo Baiocco (Yamaha) took pole position this afternoon with a lap of 1:39.495, less then a tenth of a second ahead of Simeon
Xavier Simeon - 2nd, 1:39.562:
“I’m happy because the bike is very, very good and it feels easy to ride here. I’m satisfied because the recent tests at Lausitzring have certainly helped us improve the bike and now I think we’re in a good position to challenge the leaders. I am a little disappointed to lose pole position today, but that makes me more determined to win the race tomorrow. I like the track and although it’s a bit bumpy in some places, that is the same for everybody, so we just have to get on with it. Tomorrow, my only goal is to win! “
