Cal Crutchlow aims to make home advantage count as the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike title continues at his local circuit of Mallory Park and the 22 year old Coventry rider topped the free practice leaderboard, though by only a split second from series leader Shane Byrne.
The HM Plant Honda rider is one of only two men to beat the Airwaves Ducati rider so far, and Crutchlow is ready for more, and he underlined his determination with a 56.698secs, 89.52 mph lap of the short but demanding 1.41 mile Leicestershire circuit.
“These races are very important for me; they could make or break the Championship. Ideally, I could do with a race win or a double to pull in as many points as possible.
“I’d like to be up there and I can’t see any reason why not. If I can take the fight to Shakey (Byrne) and the Ducatis then I’ll do that,” reflected Crutchlow though he is all to well aware of the threat posed by Byrne who closed within 0.095secs at the end of the morning dry session.
The championship leader has a good pedigree at this circuit, including a win in the corresponding round of last year, but, as he aims to regain the crown he held five years ago, he is taking nothing for granted.
“I know I’ve got a good lead but there is a long way to go. I’ve always had decent results at Mallory so I‘ve got no problems with the track. I want to try and have two good races.
“The race results in themselves are important but they are a small part of a bigger puzzle. I need to keep finishing on the podium and at the end of the year the Championship should be the big picture,” said Byrne.
Tom Sykes, riding Rizla Suzuki, closed in on the leading duo with a lap of 56.849secs as he signalled his intent of taking a seasonal first victory while Michael Rutter aboard the North West 200 Ducati was only a third of a second down on Crutchlow.
Leon Camier, who is a point clear of Crutchlow in the standings, ran fifth fastest aboard the second Airwaves bike, lapping in a best time of 57.049secs to be ahead of title outsider Leon Haslam on the second HM Plant Honda.
John Laverty, riding the Buildbase NW200 Ducati, ran fastest among the Daily Star Cup contenders, though by only a tenth from Gary Mason, the form rider of the series, having won three of the previous four races on the Quay Garage Honda.
Chris Burns returned to action aboard the STP MV Agusta running third fastest in this race within a race for Independent teams, a third of a second up on PDM Suzuki rider Luke Quigley.
Rain showers during the afternoon prevented any improvements in lap times, with Sykes proving fastest with a time of 1m 00.490secs, a third of a second up on Tena for Men Honda rider Tristan Palmer, while Burns was the most industrious, putting in 25 laps, the best of which was 1m 02.051secs, half a second up on Haslam.
Free practice – Top Ten Times:1.Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 56.698s
2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) + 0.095s
3. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.151s
4. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +0.337s
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +0.351s
6. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.882s
7. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +0.900s
8. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +1.013s
9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.996
10. Billy McConnell (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +1.049s
Superbikes on TrackSaturday 28th June10.10-11.00: Free practice
14.40-15.30: Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole grid deciding session
Sunday 29th June09.50-10.05: Warm-up practice
13.15: Race One – 30 laps
16.20: Race Two - 30 laps
