It took two and a half seasons, and nineteen front row starts for Eugene Laverty to finally score his first ever pole position.
It was a very frustrasting Superpole as SP3 was halted with just a few minutes left because of some rain, and then restarted as a ‘wet’ 20 minute session – even if it was dry – with the riders having no more qualifying tires to use.
After a single lap out at the start of the new session, all the riders returned to their pits with Loris Baz’ on provisional pole, but in the dying minutes and with just one lap available, Laverty made his dash and made it count, earning his first Tissot watch.
“I have been waiting for my first Superpole for so long.
After so many front row starts it was about time! I’m quite pleased.
I’m sure we were also a bit lucky, but that’s the way it goes.
In the two sessions today we showed in any case that we have a really good race pace in the dry, so tomorrow we should be able to ride two great races”, said Laverty.
Team mate Sylvain Guintoli was less lucky as a technical issue (and the fact that the riders have only one bike available) kept him from taking part in the 20 minute ‘wet’ shootout, but nonetheless, the standing’s leader is happy with his race pace.
“It’s a shame about Superpole 3, but in compensation the good news is that we have an excellent race pace in the dry,” said Guintoli.
“Today we were able to work really well because my shoulder is improving, so we also took some laps on used tyres in order to better prepare for the races.
To be honest I had hoped to start farther forward, so the races tomorrow will be a nice challenge for me”.