Silverstone WSB: Crutchlow blitzes first qualifying to take provisional pole

Factory Yamaha man Cal Crutchlow made his intentions for the weekend clear by posting a stunning 2’05.664 lap – 0.342s faster than his closet rival Jonathan Rea. Crutchlow has made a habit of setting incredible one of lap times during 2010, but knows that he needs to convert his outright pace into fast consistent lap times.

Speaking to MCN, Crutchlow said: “With fresh rubber on I could do that lap time all day. I used a soft front tyre which was pushing a bit too much on my fast lap. I can ride pretty consistently when I’m on my own, but my problem comes when I’m lapping with other riders.”

The next four riders – Jonathan Rea, Troy Corser, Leon Camier and Michel Fabrizio were separated by just 1/10th of a second making it one of the closest qualifying session of 2010. James Toseland secured sixth spot 2/10th tenths further back with traditionally slow starter Max Biaggi climbing up the leader board to seventh at the end of the hour long session.

Leon Haslam ended the day 0.8s off pole and in eighth place, but remains optimistic in his pace and performance of his Alstare Suzuki.

1 35 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 2’05.664
2 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 2’06.006
3 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 2’06.052
4 2 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2’06.064
5 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 2’06.088
6 52 J. TOSELAND GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 2’06.238
7 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2’06.315
8 91 L. HASLAM GBR Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 2’06.464
9 7 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 2’06.475
10 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 2’06.596
11 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 2’06.699
12 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 2’06.803
13 67 S. BYRNE GBR Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 2’06.952
14 96 J. SMRZ CZE Team PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2’06.988
15 99 L. SCASSA ITA Supersonic Racing Team Ducati 1098R 2’07.042
16 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 2’07.101
17 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 2’07.107
18 76 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 2’07.325
19 23 B. PARKES AUS ECHO CRS Honda Honda CBR1000RR 2’07.548
20 95 R. HAYDEN USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 2’07.677
21 25 J. BROOKES AUS HM Plant Honda Honda CBR1000RR 2’07.798
22 8 R. KIYONARI JPN HM Plant Honda Honda CBR1000RR 2’09.165
23 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 2’10.431
24 46 T. BRIDEWELL GBR TYCO Racing Honda CBR1000RR 2’11.057
25 87 A. YANAGAWA JPN Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 2’11.230