Qatar WSS: Crutchlow and Laverty 1-2 on grid

World Supersport men Cal Crutchlow and Eugene Laverty are convinced they can fight for victory in Saturday’s 18 lap race after qualifying first and second on the grid.

The two men have been on top form since arriving in Qatar with Crutchlow running at the front from the opening session despite not knowing the track.

Speaking to MCN he said:
“It’s certainly good for the Brits. I’m happy enough but it was only one lap so I’m still working on the full race distance. I don’t think we’ll be doing 2m 01s laps in the race because it will use the tyre too much.

It will still be a battle tomorrow and I don’t think anyone is going to be able to make a break, I think there could be seven of us up front. Eugene will be there because his bike is so fast Sofuoglu, Pitt and Foret – the usual suspects.”

Laverty has spent the two days of practice and qualifying gradually building up his pace, but it all came together in the final session with a blistering lap under the previous circuit best lap.

He said: “We spent the practice getting the chassis right and now my race pace is as good as anyone’s. It’s good to have Cal upfront too and it’s certainly going to be interesting tomorrow. I need to get a good start and get away at the front. Unlike Australia we’re not going to have to look after our tyre so we will be going hard from the start.”

WORLD SUPERSPORT GRID POSITIONS

1 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR 2’01.586
2 E. LAVERTY IRL 2’01.629
3 K. SOFUOGLU TUR 2’01.810
4 A. PITT AUS 2’02.266
5 F. FORET FRA 2’02.282
6 M. LAGRIVE FRA 2’02.450
7 G. NANNELLI ITA 2’02.497
8 R. HARMS DEN 2’02.592
9 G. MCCOY AUS 2’02.634
10 M. AITCHISON 2’02.656
11 M. PIRRO ITA 2’02.664
12 A. WEST AUS 2’02.808
13 K. FUJIWARA JPN 2’02.844
14 M. PRAIA POR 2’03.098
15 J. LASCORZ ESP 2’03.111
16 P. SZKOPEK POL 2’03.163
17 M. ROCCOLI ITA 2’03.178
18 B. VENEMAN NED 2’03.215
19 G. VIZZIELLO ITA 2’03.507
20 J. GÜNTHER GER 2’03.703
21 D. DELL’OMO ITA 2’03.829
22 P. VOSTÁREK CZE 2’03.942
23 A. VOS NED 2’03.951
24 R. HOLLAND AUS 2’04.333
25 M. SMRZ CZE 2’04.504
26 J. MORILLAS ESP 2’04.710
27 F. LAI ITA 2’04.988
28 T. PRADITA INA 2’05.234
29 Y. GUERRA ESP 2’05.565
30 S. GERONIMI AUS 2’06.803