Worx Crescent Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli crashed in the first session of qualifying at the tenth round of the MCE British Superbikes at Croft today forcing him onto his second bike, but he was only able to set the 17th fastest time.
Guintoli lowsided at the chicane early on in the session, but due to the lack of entrants into the category this weekend elimination process was altered to exclude positions 16 to 22 in the first the session abruptly ending Guintoli’s afternoon. Usually those in position 20 and above would have a second chance to redeem any errors made on their first outing.
The Nuneaton based rider was seen to limp away from the crash leaving his damaged bike behind that amongst other things had the seat cowl split in two. This gives Guintoli a lot of work for both of tomorrow’s races.
Guintoli said:  "I am far from happy, this is not the result we were looking for and in no way does it represent the work the team has put in and the progress we've made over the past two days.

"The crash came on my second flying flap of Q1, I was still getting up to speed and not yet fully up to speed, but maybe I was braking that little bit harder, I don't know, when you lose the front it is always a very quick crash. I fell on my bad leg and I twisted my knee, but the leg is fine.
"I did get back out on the second bike but in the time we had it just didn't come together. I am very disappointed. It is tough enough not to be contending for top-five, but now I have to start far down the grid at a track where I can already tell that passing is difficult. I will try my best."