Britain's Craig Jones has put himself at the head of row two for tomorrow's World Supersport race at Brno in the Czech Republic – but his team is confident that the youngster is ready to battle for top honours in what promises to be a close race.
Jones, who scored his first ever World Supersport podium at the 5.4km picturesque track last year, spent much of qualifying fighting for pole position but was pushed back to the second row in a last minute flurry of activity as riders improved right at the end of the session.
“I am a little disappointed in fifth because the fact is we could have gone quicker bar a couple of minor mistakes," aid Jones. "On my first fast lap I ran off the track and had to abort. On my second fast lap I was on pole position pace when my rear wheel just touched the astro-turf and I lost drive, ruining the lap. I only had time for one more attempt and the lap simply didn’t gel.
“It’s tough at the top but I think my race pace is right up with the best of them and we can fight for the victory. It’s not going to be easy, but my Parkalgar Honda is doing just what I want it to and I am more motivated than ever, it is time to show what we really can achieve.”
Ten Kate Honda's Jonathan Rea was seventh with Chris Walker 21st and Graeme Gowland 25th.
Results:
1 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R6 2'03.203
2 77 Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 2'03.452
3 25 Brookes J. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2'03.562
4 88 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2'03.590
5 18 Jones C. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2'03.761
6 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Triumph 675 2'03.775
7 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2'03.934
8 31 Kallio V. (FIN) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.135
9 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.368
10 11 Holland R. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.508
11 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.546
12 83 Van Keymeulen D. (BEL) Suzuki GSX-R600 2'04.605
13 38 Leblanc G. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.670
14 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.676
15 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph 675 2'04.721
16 44 Salom D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R6 2'04.779
17 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.887
18 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R6 2'04.891
19 47 Clementi I. (ITA) Triumph 675 2'04.903
20 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 2'04.910
21 9 Walker C. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2'05.115
22 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R6 2'05.151
23 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2'05.328
24 199 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 2'05.507
25 81 Gowland G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2'05.775
26 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR 2'05.884
27 17 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 2'05.885
28 117 Sacchetti D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 2'06.289
29 4 Alfonsi L. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 2'06.302
30 37 De Angelis W. (RSM) Honda CBR600RR 2'06.433
31 34 Nemeth B. (HUN) Honda CBR600RR 2'06.977
32 12 Hidalgo J. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R6 2'07.392
33 51 Barragan S. (ESP) Honda CBR600RR 2'08.111
34 28 Scambia R. (ITA) Triumph 675 2'08.314
