World Superbike Superpole Results: 1. Troy Corser, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:02.694 2. James Toseland, Ducati 999F05, 2:03.180 3. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR1000RR, 2:03.214 4. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 2:03.247 5. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR1000RR, 2:03.252 6. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 2:03.429 7. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:03.473 8. Jose Luis Cardosa, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:03.492 9. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F05, 2:03.756 10. David Checa, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:03.913 11. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:03.954 12. Garry McCoy, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:03.969 13. Andrew Pitt, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:04.352 14. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 2:04.633 15. Ivan Clementi, Ducati 999RS, 2:05.281 16. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 999RS, 2:05.649 More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda: FOURTH AND FIFTH FOR WINSTON MEN AT BRNO Chris Vermeulen will start tomorrow’s seventh round World Superbike championship races at Brno in the Czech Republic from the front row of the grid after setting the fourth fastest time in this afternoon’s Superpole event. Troy Corser took pole position after Vermeulen’s Winston Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Karl Muggeridge set the fifth fastest time to start from the head of row two for tomorrow’s two 20-lap races around the fast and undulating 5.4km Czech circuit. Ronald ten Kate team manager: “I’m actually quite happy with the results of today’s qualifying and Superpole sessions after all the hard work we’ve put in during the weekend so far. With neither rider having been here and other top teams having tested already, we’ve been playing the catch-up game for the first two days. To be honest, I think Karl deserved a front row start and was very close to getting one. We still have some work to do tonight because the lap times and data that we’ve gathered today will for sure help us to improve the bikes a little bit more in the warm-up tomorrow morning so that we can be even more competitive in the races.” Chris Vermeulen fourth fastest, 2m03.247s “We’ve continued to make improvements all day today. We’re still facing the same problems as yesterday running a little wide in places and lacking grip in others but we managed to make the problems a little smaller. I like the circuit more each time I go out and, although it’s bumpy in a lot of places, we’re getting faster in each session. The hotter conditions that we had this afternoon aren’t ideal for the CBR but we’ll have to see what the weather does tomorrow. If it’s like it is today, it’s going to be pretty hard work and there are a lot of fast riders out there. I’ll just have to try and stick the bike on the podium again.” Karl Muggeridge fifth fastest, 2m03.252s “I wanted to be top five when we came here but I would definitely have preferred a front row start. The times are all pretty tight but two tiny mistakes on my Superpole lap cost me that front row. But I still did my quickest time of the weekend so the bike’s definitely getting better and better each time we go out. As ever, there’s still some more work to do and there’ll be one or two different things to try in the morning; but I like the circuit and I’ll just be looking for two really solid results tomorrow and get up there as high as I can.” World Superbike, Brno final qualifying times: 1 Troy Corser AUS (Suzuki) 2m02.694s, 2 James Toseland GBR (Ducati) 2:03.180, 3 Max Neukirchner GER (Honda) 2:03.214, 4 Chris Vermeulen AUS (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 2:03.247, 5 Karl Muggeridge AUS (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 2:03.252, 6 Chris Walker GBR (Kawasaki) 2:03.429, 7 Yukio Kagayama JPN (Suzuki) 2:03.473, 9 Regis Laconi FRA (Ducati) 2:03.756, 10 David Checa ESP (Yamaha) 2:03.913. More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: TOSELAND TAKES SECOND PLACE IN SUPERPOLE FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM – THIRD ROW START FOR LACONI Brno (Czech Republic), Saturday16 July: James Toseland (Ducati Xerox Team) produced his best qualifying performance of the year at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic as he powered his Ducati 999F05 to second place on the grid. The reigning world champion, sporting a new totally shaved head look, was only ninth after the regular two qualifying sessions but he held on to the top slot with a time of 2m03.180s until the championship leader Troy Corser went quicker towards the end. Team-mate Régis Laconi was not so fortunate, the Frenchman only qualifying ninth in Superpole and he will start from the third row of the grid in tomorrow’s two 20-lap races. “It’s my first front row of the year and I’m overjoyed!” declared Toseland. “I ‘ve been close a number of times on the second row but not quite there. Pole position would have been nice but Troy pulled out a fantastic lap. The team’s worked really well this weekend, I had a good test one month ago and I knew that we could be competitive. It’s going to be a difficult race but I’ve got a good set-up and I’m confident for tomorrow. This place is really strange, when it’s cool in the morning the times are really good and the tyres work well but as soon as the temperature goes up, everyone starts to have problems and not many people went faster in the afternoon. We just worked with that, I’ve done a lot of laps this weekend to get used to how it’s going to be in the races tomorrow and I think we’ve got as good a package as anyone out there.” “I made some little mistakes on my Superpole lap in a couple of places and lost time there. I thought I could do a 03.4s lap if everything was perfect but I didn’t do it and I’m not so happy” declared Laconi. “Row 3 is not such a good start but the race will be different for sure. We need to change one more thing with the gearing to be faster so I will speak with my engineers soon and maybe we will change that for tomorrow. I am sure I can do well in the races, on the race tyre we have to stay constant on around 2m04s for minimum 4 or 5 laps, which is the important thing. I’m quite confident about the bike, but this track is strange because you cannot be sure about the feeling and then you have to make changes. I really have to push immediately at the start to go to the front because if one or two riders get away then it is finished.” STARTING-GRID: 1. Corser (Suzuki) 2m02.694s; 2. Toseland (Ducati Xerox) 2m03.180s; 3. Neukirchner (Honda) 2m03.214s; 4. Vermeulen (Honda) 2m03.247s; 5. Muggeridge (Honda) 2m03.252s; 6. Walker (Kawasaki) 2m03.429s; 7. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2m03.473s; 8. Cardoso (Yamaha) 2m03.492s; 9. Laconi (Ducati Xerox) 2m03.756s; 10. Checa (Yamaha) 2m03.913s; etc. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser lived up to his ‘Mr Superpole’ reputation with another stunning performance on his GSX-R1000 in this afternoon’s Brno World Superbike sixteen-rider one-lap shoot-out by setting the fastest time. He was the last but one rider to go and had problems with his brakes on his warm-up lap, but he settled down to produce one of the best Superpole laps ever seen. Corser’s time of 2:02.694 was nearly half a second faster then his nearest rival – James Toseland (Ducati) – with Max Neukirchner (Honda) third and Chris Vermeulen (Honda) fourth. Team mate Yukio Kagayama posted seventh fastest in Superpole and will start from the second row of the grid, but he is happy with his race set-up and looking for a podium tomorrow. Troy Corser – 1st, 2:02.694: “My Superpole lap was a bit fortunate because I had problems with the brake lever going into the first turn on my out lap! I pulled on the lever and it came right the way back to the bar so I spent the next five or six turns turning the adjuster and getting the brakes to work ok. I really only started my preparation half way around the warm-up lap, but once I got going, things all worked out ok and there were no other dramas or problems. “We have been struggling a bit here, getting good grip and good feeling for what’s been going on, but this afternoon we made a big step forward with the front and rear suspension and found a good set-up for the race. The track is bumpier than when we were last here nine years ago, but it has a good layout and you can lap quickly if you are fast and smooth. If you rush at the corners here, you just end up going slower. A lot will depend on the temperature tomorrow, but whatever it is, the racing is going to be very close for sure.” Yukio Kagayama – 7th, 2:03.473: “I am happy, but not happy. Happy because I have found the right direction with the set up of the bike and know what to try in tomorrow’s warm-up session. Not happy because I wanted Superpole! Before it began, I believed I could do it, but this track is very difficult for me because it is a track where you have to be very smooth. This is not my style because I am an aggressive rider so to go fast here I must modify my style and be smoother. This I am trying to do as best I can. If we find a little more improvement in the bike tomorrow morning, I think I can get some good results.” Final WSB Qualifying: 1 Troy Corser (AUS-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:02.694, 2 Toseland (GB-Ducati) 2:03.180, 3 Neukirchner (GER-Honda) 2:03.214, 4 Vermeulen (AUS-Honda) 2:03.247, 5 Muggeridge (AUS-Honda) 2:03.252, 6 Walker (GB-Kawasaki) 2:03.429, 7 Yukio Kagayama (JPN-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:03.473, 8 Cardoso (ESP-Yamaha) 2:03.492, 9 Laconi (FRA-Ducati) 2:03.756, 10 Checa (ESP-Yamaha) 2:03.913. WORLD SUPERSPORT QUALIFYING: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Javi Fores qualified seventh today and will start tomorrow’s 18-lap race from the second row of the grid. He knows that a good start is crucial if he is to have his best result of the season, but he likes the track and is looking forward to the race probably more than he has done all season to date. Series leader Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) who took Superpole – his sixth of the season – ahead of Kevin Curtain (Yamaha), Michel Fabrizio (Honda) and Broc Parkes (Yamaha). Javi Fores – 7th, 2:07.876: “I am happy because I like this track a lot and I have a good bike set-up for the race tomorrow. Today we put a fresh engine into my GSX-R Suzuki and the bike immediately felt faster. We have decided what tyres to use and will probably not make any significant changes in the warm-up tomorrow morning. “I’m happy enough to be on the second row because the first turn is a long way from the start-line, but I need to make a good start if I am to challenge with the leaders. I am really looking forward to the race and hoping to have some fun and get a good result.” Final Supersport Qualifying: 1 Charpentier (FRA-Honda) 2:06.283, 2 Curtain (AUS-Yamaha) 2:06.703, 3 Fabrizio (ITA-Honda) 2:07.153, 4 Parkes (AUS-Yamaha) 2:07.188, 5 Foret (FRA-Honda) 2:07.266, 6 Harms (DEN-Honda) 2:07.752, 7 Javi Fores (ESP-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:07.876, 8 Nannelli (ITA-Ducati) 2:07.883, 9 Daemen (BEL-Honda) 2:08.016, 10 Corradi (ITA-Ducati) 2:08.164. More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: WSB : Andrew pays penalty for superpole ‘disaster’ Round: 7 – Czech Republic Circuit: Brno Date: 16 July 2005 Temp: 32ºC Weather: Sunny Yamaha Motor Italia rider Andrew Pitt will start tomorrow’s Czech round of the Superbike World Championship from the fourth row of the grid after a disastrous superpole lap saw him drop eight places from his qualifying time to 13th after the one lap shootout. After ending yesterday’s first qualifying session at the Brno circuit down in 15th, the Australian had been in much improved form today – setting the fourth fastest time in second qualifying and the third quickest time of the afternoon free practice. However the former Supersport World Champion failed to find his rhythm in the one timed lap that decided his grid position and will have to start the race from the fourth row. Team-mate Noriyuki Haga missed out on superpole and starts tomorrow’s two 20-lap races from the fifth row after failing to improve his qualifying time from Friday. The popular Japanese ace was again able to run consistently in the 2’04 second bracket on race rubber, but again was unable to find the one second advantage gained by his rivals on qualifying tyres. With most riders improving their time from yesterday, Haga slid back from 10th in the overnight standings to 18th on the final grid, although Nori-chan did confirm his prowess around the Czech circuit by taking half a second from his qualifying time to end the afternoon free practice session in eighth place. Despite the lower than expected grid positions, both riders remain confident of improving their positions in the race on the basis of their times on the race settings which will ultimately decide their fate in tomorrow’s races. Yamaha Motor France’s Norick Abe set his best lap of the weekend in superpole to take 11th on the grid, an improvement from 15th in regular qualifying. Like his colleagues in the Italian team, the Japanese has shown speed and consistency all weekend at a circuit he knows and likes from his Grand Prix days. Team-mate Sebastien Gimbert will start from 22nd on his return from injury. Two Spanish R1 riders also featured in the superpole session. Jose-Luis Cardoso ended the day as the top Yamaha runner – his 2’03.492 proving good enough for eighth place and the second row of the grid, while newly crowned French superbike champion David Checa ended up 10th on the Yamaha GMT94 R1. Championship leader Troy Corser (Suzuki) was fastest in the superpole session with a 2’02.694 lap time to see off defending champion James Toseland (Ducati) and the Hondas of Max Neukirchner and Chris Vermeulen. Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) “What can I say? My superpole lap was a complete disaster! All day we’ve been making good progress but on the lap that mattered I didn’t go fast enough. Before I went out the team old me to relax but I think I relaxed too much and didn’t go fast enough! When I was coming in I actually thought it was quite a good lap, so it was disappointing to come in and see the lap time – but that’s how it is with superpole. We’re good for the race though, and that’s what matters.” Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) “Today was much the same as yesterday, I needed some more grip on my fastest lap. Again I made my best lap on the race tyre and for the race I think our settings are not so bad. Of course, it is disappointing not to make superpole and tomorrow will be tough. But at Misano I started 21st and finished sixth. Starting 18th maybe I can arrive on the podium! For sure tonight we will make some more changes to try and improve the grip performance in the race.” Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France) “At the last race in Misano I was so bad because bike was spinning everywhere. Here it is better, not perfect but much better and I hope we can find some improvements for tomorrow. I am happy with my superpole lap, although I was a little surprised that so many other riders improved. But from the third row it is possible to make a good start and I think tomorrow it is possible to fight for the podium.” Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia) “The qualifying times today do not show our real level because on race tyres our riders are able to run times as fast and consistent as any of our rivals. Noriyuki is a little frustrated because he could not make a faster lap to get into superpole but I think tomorrow we can see him come through like he did in Misano. Andrew has been strong all day but was perhaps just a little too cautious on his superpole lap. I think he too will show his true form in the race.” More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi: MISFORTUNE FOR LANZI AT BRNO, NANNELLI IN SECOND ROW No fortune today at Brno for the riders of Scuderia SC Caracchi, despite of final grid positions not too bad. The misfortune has been raged most with Lorenzo Lanzi, author of two practice days with optimal performances that a broken gear lever during the Superpole has made useless, forcing him to fourth row of the grid in tomorrow’s 20 laps races. “I’m actually disappointed today”. Lorenzo Lanzi has commented at the end of Superpole. “A stupid breaking has sent to hell all the job we made during two entire days to get a good starting position. The team worked really well this weekend and we would be competitive. Now we have to hope in a good start, not only mine but also of the riders behind me, than they do not stop my action. However we got a good set up, my machine performs very well, so if the misfortune is pleased of the fee that I pay today I am sure to run tomorrow a couple of good races “. Also Fonsi Nieto looks to be trusting, despite of the fifth row starting. The Spanish rider recorded optimal lap times in race set up and is waiting with optimism for the race start tomorrow. “Even if with qualifying tyres I still do not succeed in riding at my best,” said at the end of the day Fonsi Nieto. “in race conditions I have a good pace and believe to do well. We have still to set the bike for some sloping corner, where it looks to exit outside, then we will mount a fresh motor for the race. I am confident in a good result tomorrow, even if a lot will depend on the starting.” Gianluca Nannelli will leave tomorrow from the second row; its bike has still some problem to which not always the fantastic 749R Ducati’s top speed also today it has recorded as the fastest bike is sufficient to recover. “The bike is, like always, very very fast, but they remain some handling problems “. said Nannelli, not too much satisfied of the qualifying result. “In braking action it moves a lot, the rear is still sliding in most of corners. On the contrary we have solved some front problem and we selected a race tyre that gives confidence to me. I believe that the asphalt’s temperature, also today afternoon was warmest as in the morning’s session, has a big influence on the bike’s handling. Forecast for tomorrow says it will be fresher, so we’ll see if it will be an advantage “. More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: MR SUPERSMOOTH DOES IT AGAIN! Out of nowhere, came one of the best Superpole laps ever seen and once again it was Troy who did it. Until the final practice session, Troy and the team had been struggling with grip problems, but a change to the swinging arm pivot, and front and rear suspension made all the difference and made Troy much happier about the bike’s set-up for the races tomorrow. Troy’s Superpole lap was not without its dramas though – as he arrived at the first turn on his warm-up lap, his brake lever came all the way back to the bars! He then spent the next five or six turns turning the adjuster until the lever was back to normal again. Only then could he concentrate on his Superpole lap, but when he flew across the line at the end, his time of 2:02.694 was half a second quicker then his nearest rival – James Toseland (Ducati). Third was Max Neukirchner (Honda), with Chris Vermeulen (Honda) fourth. Troy’s team mate Yukio Kagayama finished with the seventh best time and will start one row behind Troy on the grid. TROY – 1st, 2:02.694 I am happy because we finally found a decent bike set-up this afternoon after struggling a bit for the past two days. We changed the swinging arm pivot point and also made some adjustments to the front and rear suspension and that made a big difference. Normally, we only make small changes one at a time but, because this track is so long and time spent in the garage is time not spent on the track, we made some big changes and they worked out pretty good. There was never a problem on qualifying tyres – only race rubber, but now we are more or less sorted on that. I nearly had a disaster in Superpole when I found myself without any brakes going into the first turn on my out lap. I had to spend nearly a third of a lap turning the adjuster to get the brakes to work OK and by the time I had done all that it was time to get my head down and attack the line for the start of the Superpole lap. It went like a breeze and I ended up quickest. The key to this track is to be smooth and fast. If you are too aggressive and charge into the turns, you end up going slower. Brno is a technical track and to do well here you have to use your head. I think the races are going to be very close and I don’t think anybody will pull away – if they do, I’d like it to be me! The temperature could play an important part in the proceedings because we’ve found that the Pirellis don’t work as well when the track temperature is very hot. So I’m hoping that it will be a bit cooler then this afternoon and stay dry. If that happens, I should be on course for a couple of podiums, and that’s what I’m chasing.