Team Alstare Suzuki rider Xavi Simeon ended the first day of qualifying with the second quickest time despite difficult conditions. Heavy rain battered the 4.023 kilometre throughout the day, ensuring that the track was slippery in both sessions. Brendan Roberts (Ducati) set the day’s fastest lap, just a tenth of a second or so quicker then Xavi. Third is Jon Kirkham (Yamaha), with Chris Seaton (Suzuki) fourth.
Xavi - 2nd, 1:49.603
Although, I was second fastest today I am not happy because I made a little mistake on my best lap and so it could’ve been good enough for pole. I also had some problems with my visor misting up and that made it difficult to see exactly where I was going! My bike felt fast today and although the conditions were difficult, I felt I could go fast. I know I have to get a really good result on Sunday in order to have any chance of the title, but I will be trying my hardest for sure.
Friday qualifying
1. Roberts (Aus-Ducati) 1:49.474,
2. Xavi Simeon (B-Alstare Suzuki) 1:49.603,
3. Kirkham (GB-Yamaha) 1:49.995,
4. Seaton (Aus-Suzuki) 1:50.479,
5. Polita (I-Ducati) 1:50.857,
6. Pirro (I-Yamaha)) 1:51.127,
Austrian Roland Resch dominated the wet and slippery conditions at Donington today in first qualifying for Sunday’s fifth round of the Suzuki GSX-R Cup. Spaniard Arturo Tizon was second quickest, ahead of Hungarian David Juhasz and Briton Jon Pearson.
Roland Resch, 1st, 1:53.210
Conditions were really difficult today and the track was very slippery. I had many slides, but I always felt in control. The balance of my bike felt good and the biggest problem - apart from the rain - was that the tyres cooled down when the race was red-flagged and it took a few laps to get them up to temperature again. I really like this track and this is my first time racing on the big circuit. I have ridden here before, but that was on the shorter circuit, so really there is no comparison. The grip in the first part of the track was not good, but the last part was, so you really have to concentrate on every lap. I hope the weather is better tomorrow and I can enjoy this fantastic track even more.
