A small crash right at the end of ‘Wet Superpole’ denied Troy the chance of taking Superpole number 43 at Donington Park today. Yesterday’s rain continued today and the sixteen rider Superpole shoot-out was declared a ‘Wet Superpole”, with each of the riders having a maximum of 12 laps in which to record the fastest time.
Troy had already had a small tip-off in the earlier part of Superpole, but was on course to put that all behind him with a superb first and second split. Troy entered the last corner ahead on time, but then lost the rear end and crashed and his dream of another Superpole victory was over!
Instead, his fellow countryman Troy Bayliss (Ducati) took Superpole, with Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) second, Carlos Checa (Honda) third and Ruben Xaus (Ducati) fourth.
Troy: 8th, 1:42.875
"The first crash in Superpole was just a little get-off in the wet and I didn’t hurt myself at all. After that we made a few adjustments to the bike and towards the end of the ‘Wet Superpole’ I was able to go faster and faster. On my last lap, I felt that it was the best lap I’d done and I had a feeling it might be good enough for Superpole. But I fell in the last turn when I could see the chequered flag in the distance and lost the chance to take Superpole number 43. Instead, I ended up eighth and on the second row of the grid. But I think we have a pretty reasonable set-up for the wet, though I’d prefer conditions a bit drier - like it was at the end of Superpole today. The only problem with my second crash is that I rolled and rolled and then landed on the same hip I hurt yesterday! It’s no more sore, it’s just a bigger bruise!"
Final Qualifying:
1. Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1:42.013
2. Kiyonari (J-Honda) 1:42.353
3. Checa (GB-Honda) 1:42.486
4. Xaus (E-Ducati) 1:2.573
5. Ellison (GB-Honda) 1:42.582
6. Biaggi (I-Ducati) 1:42.619
7. Sykes (GB-Suzuki) 1:42.624
8. Troy Corser (Aus-Yamaha Motor Italia) 1:42.875
9. Crutchlow (GB-Honda) 1:43.125
10. Fabrizio (I-Ducati) 1:43.172
