An eventful Superpole session concluded the second day of qualifying for round 12 of the 2007 World Superbike Championship at Vallelunga today. HANNspree Ten Kate Honda's James Toseland will start tomorrow's 24-lap race from the second row of the grid, while team-mate Roberto Rolfo qualified in ninth position for a third row start. Toseland has been consistently fast during the free practice and qualifying sessions at the 4.110km circuit and he entered this afternoon's Superpole as the fourth quickest rider. The current series leader was in the middle of a potential pole-securing lap when he lost the front end of his CBR1000RR and crashed out.
According to Superpole rules, Toseland will now start the race from eighth position on the grid. This is a minor set-back in the British rider's title chase, however with a good race set-up already in place and his sheer determination, Toseland is still aiming for the podium tomorrow. His closest title rival Noriyuki Haga will also begin the race from the second row of the grid.
Team-mate Rolfo has put in a consistent performance over the past two days and was hoping for a place in the second row today. He qualified for Superpole as the ninth fastest rider but just missed out on his ambition, securing a lap time of 1'37.589 for a ninth place start.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: "It was a very unlucky Superpole for James - he was looking pretty good on his lap and it would have definitely been front row and maybe even a possible pole. Lucky for us, he qualified in fourth position in the practices so he only dropped back a row into eighth position. Looking at the race pace, I think we can definitely fight for the podium tomorrow.
"Roby almost made it to the second row. He has a third row start and his race pace also seems to be good and I'm sure he'll be able to move up some places in the race."
James Toseland: "I'm trying to take this weekend as any normal weekend and in any normal weekend I'll always try my best to get pole position and that's exactly what I did today. I just misjudged the entry to the left chicane and it's a little bit bumpy there - the bike just skipped on the bumps and there was no way I could save it. Obviously, I am really disappointed but I'm on second row, we've got a great race set-up and the positive thing is that I'm not injured so I'm still up for it."
Roberto Rolfo:
"I am a little disappointed because my aim was to be on the second row and I just missed out on that. I am pleased with the set-up of the bike and the feeling is ok, but we will do some more work in warm-up tomorrow to be able to push forward in the race. I am hoping for a good start so that I can try to get up to the front."
Superpole: 1. T. Bayliss 1''35.890
2. T. Corser 1'36.016
3. R. Xaus 1'36.737
4. M. Biaggi 1'36.925
5. N. Haga 1'36.996
6. L. Lanzi 1'37.428
7. M. Fabrizio 1'37.430
8. J. Toseland 1'37.371
9. R. Rolfo 1'37.589
10. S. Nakatomi 1'37.775
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