Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Defending Champion Pascal Picotte took pole position for the Hindle Exhausts 600cc Sportbike class Saturday during qualifying at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.

Picotte’s 1:41.964 on his final lap with his Yamaha YZF-R6 just edged out DXS Diablo Suzuki’s Steve Crevier, who had recorded a 1:41.998 earlier in the session.

“I wanted to wait for the end, but we had a little problem,” said the Picotte Performance Yamaha rider. “When we put the soft tire on, it didn’t work at all. It made the front push a lot, but that’s good news for the race because the harder tire feels better. It definitely looks good for the race.

“Plus, I wasn’t exactly in a position to crash either, with the Championship.”

Unofficially, Picotte needs to finish second or better to clinch his second consecutive Canadian 600cc Sportbike Championship.

Provisional Hindle Exhausts 600cc Sportbike Qualifying Results:

1. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R6), 1:41.964
2. Steve Crevier (Suz GSX-R600), 1:41.998
3. Francis Martin (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:42.278
4. Matt McBride (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:42.485
5. Jordan Szoke (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.624
6. Jeff Williams (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.150
7. Chris Peris (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.253
8. Frank Trombino (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.561
9. Andrew Nelson (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.646
10. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.826