Crutchlow hails pole after 'difficult weekend'
Sat, 10 Apr 2010
The Briton defies pre-Superpole predictions to out pace Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi around the Ricardo Tormo circuit.
CIA Insurance sponsored rider Cal Crutchlow admits there is work to be done if he is to covert his World Superbike pole position into race victory in Valencia, but he was nonetheless happy to have already 'surprised a few people'.
Despite only qualifying a provisional 15th position, the Briton was in superb form come Superpole as he worked his way into the shootout before using his available qualifying tyre to put in a lap of 1min 33.615secs, two tenths faster than second place Carlos Checa.
A second straight pole position for the reigning World Supersport Champion, Crutchlow was delighted to come out on top having suffered from grip issues since free practice.
"It was good last year in Supersport - we had ten poles in total and we've now started the tally with two for this season which is great,” he beamed. “The team have worked really hard this weekend as it's been difficult for us.
“Like Australia, the grip level is not so good, which is where we struggle. We went to Portugal and we had a lot of grip and the bike was fantastic, we've come here and it's hard work again but we're getting there.
However, having been unable to convert his maiden WSBK pole position at Portimao into anything more than a third place finish, Crutchlow is keeping his race expectations fairly modest, confessing that he faces a task to maintain his pace over 23 laps.
“We'll have another late night tonight and then I'll look forward to the race tomorrow, it's alright doing one fast lap but 23 is a different story.
“I think we surprised a few people today, I used the same tyres in the first qualification session today as I used yesterday, finishing in 15th but I wasn't so worried. I knew if we could work through the stages we would be ok for the pole."
Source:
Crash.net
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