Pata Honda's Leon Haslam will start today’s two World Superbike championship races from the third row of the grid after setting the seventh fastest time in qualifying at Laguna Seca. It’s the Brit’s best Superpole session in the dry for some time, and the rider is confident he can get away with the front runners this evening.

The 31-year-old - who has significantly improved his best time from last year’s race weekend at the American track, lapped the Californian circuit in a time of 1’23.181 on his Honda CBR1000RR machine.

It was also the first time all season that he was faster on a qualifying tyre – rather than a race spec one. The Smalley lad made a small mistake and was only able to get one go on the qualifier – but it was enough to start from the third row.

“Honestly, I didn’t quite get the most out of the qualifier but it’s the first time all year that I’ve gone quicker on a qualifying tyre than a race tyre,” said Haslam.

“I was a little cautious but the bike was working pretty good. I thought we’d get two laps out of the qualifier but I kind of made a mistake on the first one and that was it.

“But I’m not too unhappy – maybe a top six was possible if everything had gone to plan, but I’ll take seventh. It’s the highest dry qualifying we’ve had for a while and I’m feeling pretty good on race pace. I’ll try to get away with the boys in front and see how we go.”