Both Parkes and replacement rider Steve Martin put in excellent performances today to take third and sixth qualifying places respectively on the grid for tomorrow's race. Having both done two long runs during this morning's free practice session to test out two tyre options for tomorrow, the riders went into the second qualifying session of the weekend confident of their setting choices.
In qualifying Parkes lost his provisional second place that he achieved yesterday in the early stages of the session but sliced off over 0.4 seconds to take third qualifying slot in the last five minutes of the session - his highest qualifying position so far this season. This puts Broc in an ideal position to fight for the race win tomorrow and move up the championship standings board.
Martin put in a strong show in only his second day on the YZF-R6 and came up from 13th, where he started the day, to sixth position. The ex-World Superbike rider has not ridden in the Supersport series since 2000 but has adapted to the team and the bike with speed and ease. He is replacing fellow Australian Kevin Curtain while he recuperates from the leg injury he suffered at Valencia two weeks ago.
Just in front of Martin, Massimo Roccoli continued his positive weekend by securing fifth qualifying place this afternoon. The young Italian's confidence has been boosted by his win in the national championship at Mugello last week as well as finding a good set-up during the day.
Broc Parkes (3rd - 1'41.595 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)"This is my best qualifying result so far this year. I'm happy because it means I can get on the pace from the very start tomorrow rather than having to battle through the field first. This morning we did two long runs trying two tyre options for tomorrow but we have yet to decide which to use. We will now sit down and look over the data gathered and make the choice."
Steve Martin
Steve Martin (6th - 1'41.684 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)"I'm pretty happy with sixth considering this is only my second day on the bike. We have constantly made steps forward this weekend so far and if we keep doing that then tomorrow will be even better. I was going for the front row, naturally, but second row is okay. The team has made the transition for me really easy and that has helped enormously. We are in a good position for tomorrow's race."
Massimo Roccoli (5th - 1'41.672 - Yamaha Team Italia)"Last week's win has been a huge boost to my confidence. I found my race set-up very quickly and I feel my bike is very competitive. I must thank my chief engineer Vanni Lorenzini for this. Today I did my best lap time with the rear tyre that we will use tomorrow so I am very optimistic. I normally get a good start and I am confident that will be the case tomorrow."
Circuit Length: 4555
Temp: 24
Weather: Sunny
Qualifying - WSS Assen 28/04/2007Pos. - Rider - Nat. - QUAL I - QUAL II1. Kenan Sofuoglu - TUR - 1'42.482 - 1'41.144
2. Sebastien Charpentier - FRA - 1'42.174 - 1'41.192
3. Broc Parkes - AUS - 1'42.191 - 1'41.595
4. Fabien Foret - FRA - 1'42.755 - 1'41.618
5. Massimo Roccoli - ITA - 1'43.010 - 1'41.672
6. Steve Martin - AUS - 1'43.297 - 1'41.684
7. Andrew Pitt - AUS - 1'43.040 - 1'41.761
8. Katsuaki Fujiwara - JPN - 1'43.167 - 1'41.835
9. David Salom - ESP - 1'43.000 - 1'42.043
10. Vladimir Ivanov - RUS - 1'43.478 - 1'42.322
11. Vesa Kallio - FIN - 1'42.773 - 1'42.348
12. Pere Riba - ESP - 1'43.578 - 1'42.388
13. Barry Veneman - NED - 1'42.875 -1'42.392
14. David Checa - ESP - 1'43.241 - 1'42.433
15. Davide Giugliano - ITA - 1'43.369 - 1'42.510
22. Sebastien Gimbert - FRA - 1'43.601 - 1'42.948
24. Gianluca Vizziello - ITA - 1'44.227 - 1'43.233
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