Josh Brookes is perfectly placed for the start of the British Superbike Championship showdown after taking pole position at Assen. The Australian carries a two point lead over Shane Byrne into the showdown phase of the season and was in a different class to his title rivals on Saturday, claiming a dominant pole position.
Brookes was quickest in both of the knockout sessions prior to Q3 and the Australian admitted his scorching pace was a surprise even to himself.
“I was coming into this event with some confidence and having ridden here earlier in the year on the different spec bike meant I had a good idea of where we could be and when I was doing 1:37s I thought that might be where we levelled off. What I thought was already a fairly well prepared bike, and one I was confident with, the team chopped and changed it a bit and we found some extra tenths so the team really delivered it for me. To go out and do a 1:35.9 is even a surprise to me. Sure I had to ride the bike, hold the handle bars and push the tyres but the team have stepped up a level this weekend and it is perfect timing.”
Second spot on the grid didn’t go to Byrne, but to James Ellison who celebrated the news that he will remain with JG Speedfit Kawasaki for 2016 in style. John Hopkins shone once again on the Moto Rapido Ducati to take third ahead of championship outsider Michael Laverty while Byrne had to settle for fifth, his final run compromised by yellow flags following a crash for Jack Kennedy.
Danny Buchan proved his outstanding display at Oulton Park was no fluke by completing the second row while Luke Mossey heads row three, just ahead of Kennedy who will line-up eighth as long as he is declared fit for tomorrow’s first race. The two remaining showdown competitors start on their back foot with Tommy Bridewell ninth, five places ahead of Honda’s Dan Linfoot.
2015 MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 10 – ASSEN: QUALIFYING
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