Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Max Biaggi was on course for pole position in the 16-rider Superpole shoot-out today right up the moment the last rider, Noriyuki Haga, went out. At that stage, Max had lapped the 5.403 kilometre Brno circuit in 2:00.018 - a time that looked unbeatable. But then Haga blitzed his Yamaha round the undulating track in 1:59.603 and became the first rider ever to have lapped a Superbike at Brno in under two minutes. But Max is happy enough with second today, a front row grid position and is ready for two long 20 lap races tomorrow. His team mate Yukio Kagayama made a couple of small mistakes on his Superpole lap and ended sixth quickest - the same as last year. Third fastest in Superpole today is Troy Bayliss (Ducati), with series leader James Toseland (Honda) fourth.
Max - 2ndMy Superpole lap time was the fastest Ive been round here this weekend and I thought maybe it was good enough for pole position. It didnt work out that way, but Im not too unhappy because I am on the front row and that is what counts. If the weather is as hot or similar to these last two days, tyres are going to be a crucial element. I think the guy who wins tomorrows race is the one who conserves his tyres best. Its going to be a long, hard day for sure and the last five or six laps of the races are going to very interesting. I hope that tomorrow Brno will once again give me good memories.
Yukio - 6th
I was sixth in qualifying last year and went on to win both races, so if I can do the same I will be very happy! Today I made some mistakes in Superpole and lost some time. That was enough to lose the front row, but sixth is not so bad. I went onto the grass and then wheelied when I hit the ripple strip and that was probably about four tenths of a second gone. Then some slides and more time lost, so thats where my Superpole lap went. But, Im quite happy with my times on race rubber and as long as I get a good start I think I can be competitive for sure. Its going to be very hard tomorrow - especially if the weather stays as hot. Tyre life is going to be a problem and you will have to have a good tyre strategy to win the race. This is going to be my goal.
Final Qualifying:1. Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:59.603,
2. Max Biaggi (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:00.018,
3. Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 2:00.034,
4. Toseland (GB-Honda) 2:00.235,
5. Corser (Aus-Yamaha) 2:00.251,
6. Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:00.879,
7. Lanzi (I-Ducati) 2:01.078,
8. Neukirchner (D-Suzuki) 2:01.177,
9. Rolfo (I-Honda) 2:01.234,
10. Fabrizio (I-Honda) 2:01.690,
Circuit: 5.403 kms
Weather: Dry, sunny 28 C.
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