In a textbook repeat of his domination of last year’s qualifying in World Supersport, Cal Crutchlow again today left his competitors standing to smash the Brno lap record, over three tenths faster than the previous record taken by Troy Bayliss in 2008. Crutchlow dominated the entire Superpole, running the first two sessions on a race tyre, he was fastest in each heat and nearly half a second clear of his closest rival in the second Superpole.
Crutchlow’s team mate James Toseland struggled to replicate his British counterpart’s performance. Toseland made it through the first heat using a race tyre then switched to a qualifier for the second. He struggled to improve on his time with the stickier tyre and changed to his second qualifier mid-session. Again this did not produce faster times and so Toseland will start tomorrow’s two Brno races from tenth position on the grid.
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (1st, 1’58.018)
“It’s great to be on pole today but I’d rather give away the pole for a race win, but you’ve got to take them when you can. I really enjoyed the Superpole, it was a good session for us, and we were strong through it all. We’re working well and I’m pleased with that but Max is definitely the one to beat tomorrow. All credit to the guys who are on the front row. I can see it being a big battle tomorrow; I don’t see one guy heading off but at least ten at the start and maybe five at the end. The lap was good, I think I could have done a 1.57 because I ran really deep into one corner which cost me a bit of time. We had another qualifier left sat in the garage but I didn’t need it in the end.”
James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (10th, 1’59.699)
“I really struggled with the qualifier tyres today. I made it through the first session with no problems with a race tyre and was confident that we could get through the second with the qualifier. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the grip I was expecting. Our race pace is good, so it’s going to be important for me to have a good start to get with the front pack when they break.”
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
“Cal did an incredible record lap today in Superpole. His race pace is also really good here this weekend so we have every confidence he can achieve a good result in both races tomorrow. James is going to have a tougher start than Cal on the third row but his race pace is also quite good so it’s important for him to have a good start and then I believe he can stay with the front pack and challenge them.”
Circuit Length: 5403
Weather: Hot and Sunny
Lap Record: 2’03.747 (Noriyuki Haga, 01/01/2005)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1’58.018 (Cal Crutchlow, 11/07/2010)
Last Years Winner: Ben Spies
