Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow put the challenges of yesterdays qualifying behind him today, calmly working through the Superpole sessions to lay down the fastest lap of the third heat and claim his second consecutive Superpole of the 2010 season. Unlike many of his rivals Crutchlow saved his Qualifier tyres for the second and third sessions, delivering fast enough laps on a race tyre to make it through the first heat.
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (1st, 133.615)
It was good last year in Supersport, we had ten poles in total and weve now started the tally with two for this season which is great. The team have worked really hard this weekend as its been difficult for us, quite like Australia, the grip level is not so good which is where we struggle. We went to Portugal and we had a lot of grip and the bike was fantastic, weve come here and its hard work again but were getting there. Well have another late night tonight and then Ill look forward to the race tomorrow, its alright doing one fast lap but 23 is a different story. I think we surprised a few people today, I used the same tyres in the first qualification session today as I used yesterday, finishing in 15th but I wasnt so worried. I knew if we could work through the stages we would be ok for the pole.
James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (9th, 133.988)
Lady luck doesnt seem to be shining on me at the start of this season! To lose out by one thousandth is a frustrating blow, especially as I knew the time was there. I wanted to save my second qualifier for the last Superpole session, for sure we could have done a similar time to Cal. It was definitely possible. Congratulations to Cal for another pole position, putting the bike where it should be. Im disappointed for the team because weve worked really well this weekend and improved the bike again. To lose out on the top eight by such a small time and then the confusion when the screens went down is very frustrating. Weve come a long way with the package so we just need to get a good start tomorrow because we know we have the race pace.
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
We made a really good improvement from yesterday to this afternoon with both bikes. Im so sorry for James, to lose the last Superpole by only one thousandth is something we were not expecting. By the time we realised, it was too late to do anything and go out again. Im also really impressed with Cal, he made a very good last lap. Tomorrow I think it will be different but were starting from pole so we will see!