LAVERTY GRABS FRONT ROW START AT MALLORY BSB

2010-06-27 10:50
Relentless by TAS Suzuki rider Michael Laverty will start tomorrow's opening British Superbike race at Mallory Park on the front row of the grid in second position, with team-mate Alastair Seeley qualifying 10th on his debut at the Leicestershire venue.

Unfortunately due to a rule infringement, where Seeley was deemed to have ignored a red flag exiting pit lane during the final free practice session this morning, he has been dropped four grid positions for race one to 14th.

Laverty has been the in-form rider all weekend at Mallory Park on his GSX-R1000 Superbike, topping the Q1 Roll for Poll session and narrowly losing out in the final stages of Q3 to Ryuichi Kiyonari, but the Welsh-based Suzuki rider is quietly confident going into tomorrow's races.

Alastair Seeley has also been meticulous in his preparation for this weekend's qualifying, walking the circuit and taking tips from his more experienced team-mate in a bid to fast track his Mallory Park knowledge.

Michael Laverty:

"We've been right in the ballpark from the word go this weekend and along with the boys in the garage, we've found a set-up that suits the circuit and the Relentless Suzuki. Missing out on pole is always a little bit disappointing, but to have been so consistent, especially on used tyres, is more important for tomorrow's races. I'm feeling good and confident, so with a good start tomorrow, avoiding any early lap problems, we should be well in the hunt. I want to consolidate my third place in the championship this weekend, but as I've already said, if the win is there for the taking, I'm happy to take it on."

Alastair Seeley:

"I've been bumping time off my laps all weekend so we've been going in the right direction; although you get to a stage where trying to find that extra 10th around here is very difficult. I was confident going into Q3 but I knew pretty much straight away that we didn't have quite the same amount of grip with the rear tyre and I was out of the seat a couple of times. The penalty is one of those things I don't want to dwell on. I'll learn more in the races tomorrow following people and the goal here is to come away with solid finishes and some decent points. Both races will be very busy and physical, but I'm well up for it and will be looking to pick them off and get my GSX-R1000 Superbike as close to the front as I can."

Philip Neill - Team Manager:

"What a way to return to BSB. Michael has not been outside the top couple of places all weekend and he's been banging in consistent laps and dipping into the '55's' which is phenomenal. You need a lot of luck around here, but with a clean start and some decent track space, we are quietly confident Michael can do the business.

"For his first time here, Alastair has acquitted himself very well and he was taking large chunks off his time in every session. He just couldn't find that perfect lap in Q3 but I'm pleased with his effort, although I am a little frustrated at his penalty. I thought it was a little harsh but if it's in the rules we have no place to complain and we've already accepted it. We can't expect miracles from him on his debut at Mallory and from row 4 in race one, but he'll give it his best shot - we know that from experience."

BSB Roll for Pole result:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 55.630s
2. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.281s
3. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.347s
4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +0.367s
5. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.430s
6. Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +0.793s
7. Karl Harris (East Coast Racing Yamaha) +0.891s
8. Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) +1.027s
9. Chris Walker (CW Racing Suzuki) +1.109s
10. Alastair Seeley [Relentless Suzuki by TAS]

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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