HM Plant Honda’s Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow are still confident of a good showing in tomorrow’s two World Superbike races at Donington Park, despite losing out a little in today’s wet Superpole session. Both riders have shown strongly in the previous practice sessions and will be aiming for good starts on their HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades to be up at the front in both races.
Haslam: “We made a mistake in Superpole by trying a different engine mapping setting on the bike, as the HM Plant Fireblade was pushing me into corners a little. We also went out thinking it would rain later on, but instead it dried up and by that time we had used up our 12 laps. So, to be fair we struggled a bit in Superpole as a result, but I still feel we could have been on the front row. The positive thing is that we’ve got a good race pace, so I’m confident that with a good start we can do well come the races tomorrow.”
Crutchlow:“I think we did make the right plan for Superpole, but I am disappointed with how it went, obviously. We had a problem with the rear tyre going from wet to some drier parts of the track and I was losing grip on some areas of the circuit. On the lap that I fell I think I could have been on pole if I had finished the lap, and then eventually I would have been bumped back to third or fourth, but that’s how it goes. I’ve no issue with what’s happened today as we can come through the field and I’m aiming for a podium or a top six minimum from the races.”
Havier Beltran – HM Plant Honda team manager:“No surprise with the weather conditions once again, it’s the same for everyone, but with every session being wet or wet and drying it’s been so difficult. They guys were at the sharp end in all sessions, but Superpole didn’t really work for us and perhaps we didn’t make the best of the situation, but we know the guys are capable of running at the front so that’s positive. It’s looking like a dry race tomorrow, so it’s going to be a gamble for everyone as soon as a slick is placed in the bikes, as we’ve had no dry track time. We do have data from our BSB time at Donington but to be honest we’ve moved on so much since then with set-up it may not help. Also, the regulars may have more knowledge on some of the Pirelli tyres that we’ve not used before. It’s going to be difficult from the third row, but we’ve come back from similar positions before. Also, both riders are positive and confident with their race pace, so as it’s our local track and it’s our toe in the internationa l water we’re just looking forward to the races to see how HM Plant Honda gets on.”
Cal Crutchlow: 9th – 1m 43.125s
Leon Haslam: 12th – 1m 43.387sCheck out
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