Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser shrugged off the problems in qualifying to take Superpole at Assen today. It was his first Superpole since Monza in early May,and his third of the season. It is also the 37th Superpole of his career and pushes him further ahead of his nearest rival Carl Fogarty, who has recorded 21 pole positions. It was a particularly good Superpole for Team Alstare because Troy’s team mate Yukio Kagayama set the third quickest time of the day and will line up on the front row of the grid. Between him and Troy is his good friend Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha), with series leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati) in fourth place.
Troy 1st, 1:38.965After the small problems in qualifying, it’s fantastic to take Superpole today. It’s been a bit of a while, but once we’d improved the clutch feeling and got some more grip, I knew that I was in for a chance of a front row place on the grid. And, to be honest, that’s what I expected, so to get Superpole is a bonus. Front row is so important here, as any race, because the first section of the track consists of four or five slow turns and you have to be up the front or else you’ll get left behind. Tyre life is going to be a real factor tomorrow because nobody will have good grip in the second half of the race. I really hope that it doesn’t rain tomorrow, because that’ll ruin the races and not make it so much for the fans.
Yukio 3rd, 1:39.176I like the new section of the track and maybe that’s because we are all seeing it for the first time, so nobody has a big advantage or experience over me. For sure tomorrow’s races are going to be very hard, because of the tyres. I don’t think there will be much grip in the latter part of the race and there will be many slides. I am happy that Troy-san took pole today and also happy Nori is next to me on the grid - in one way. But also, there is a lot of pressure on me to beat him off the line and get to the first turn ahead. He is a very hard rider, but I am ready for the big battle.
Weather: dull, mostly overcast 17-19C.
Final qualifying:1 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:38.965,
2 Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:39.009,
3 yukio kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:39.176,
4 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1:39.304,
5 Barros (Bra-Honda) 1:39.419,
6 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda) 1:39. 543,
7 Toseland (GB-Honda) 1:39.565,
8 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha) 1:39.756,
9 Nieto (E-Kawasaki) 1:39.958,
10 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 1:40.149,
Related Linkswww.alstare.net
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