While the MotoGP season kicks off this weekend, World Superbike is making its third stop of the 2010 season, this time at Valencia Spain. Winning his second Superpole of the season, Cal Crutchlow from Yamaha Sterilgarda put his Yamaha R1 into the #1 position. Followed by town favorite Carlos Checa (2nd) and Max Biaggi (3rd). The trio of riders have been very strong so far this year, which the same cannot be said for the factory-backed Xerox Ducati team. Both Haga (11th) and Fabrizio (10th) found themselves knocked out of qualifying after Superpole 2.
This story of failure is perhaps only over-shadowed by Crutchlow’s fairy-tale comeback this weekend. The young British rider only managed to provisionally qualify 15th going into the Superpole event, but clearly was able to make the best out the weekend.
“I think we surprised a few people today, I used the same tyres in the first qualification session today as I used yesterday, finishing in 15th but I wasn’t so worried. I knew if we could work through the stages we would be ok for the pole,” says Crutchlow.
This makes Valencia the second time the Briton has astounded WSBK fans with his surprising results. Whatever the reason, we’re certain about one thing, Crutchlow is hot right now. Will it mean a podium for the Yamaha? Only time will tell.
Superpole Results from World Superbike at Valencia, Spain:
| Pos. | No. | Rider | Bike | Time | Diff |
| 1 | 35 | C. Crutchlow | Yamaha YZF R1 | 1’33.615 | – |
| 2 | 7 | C. Checa | Ducati 1098R | 1’33.840 | 0.225 |
| 3 | 3 | M. Biaggi | Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. | 1’33.860 | 0.245 |
| 4 | 91 | L. Haslam | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 1’33.961 | 0.346 |
| 5 | 11 | T. Corser | BMW S1000 RR | 1’34.059 | 0.444 |
| 6 | 50 | S. Guintoli | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 1’34.073 | 0.458 |
| 7 | 65 | J. Rea | Honda CBR1000RR | 1’34.235 | 0.620 |
| 8 | 57 | L. Lanzi | Ducati 1098R | 1’34.261 | 0.646 |
| Out after Superpole 2 | |||||
| 9 | 52 | J. Toseland | Yamaha YZF R1 | 1’33.988 | 0.377 |
| 10 | 84 | M. Fabrizio | Ducati 1098R | 1’34.021 | 0.410 |
| 11 | 41 | N. Haga | Ducati 1098R | 1’34.116 | 0.505 |
| 12 | 67 | S. Byrne | Ducati 1098R | 1’34.246 | 0.635 |
| 13 | 2 | L. Camier | Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. | 1’34.273 | 0.662 |
| 14 | 96 | J. Smrz | Ducati 1098R | 1’34.280 | 0.669 |
| 15 | 99 | L. Scassa | Ducati 1098R | 1’34.730 | 1.119 |
| 16 | 76 | M. Neukirchner | Honda CBR1000RR | 1’34.934 | 1.323 |
| Out after Superpole 1 | |||||
| 17 | 111 | R. Xaus | BMW S1000 RR | 1’34.756 | 0.734 |
| 18 | 66 | T. Sykes | Kawasaki ZX 10R | 1’34.894 | 0.872 |
| 19 | 88 | A. Pitt | BMW S1000 RR | 1’36.088 | 2.066 |
| 20 | 32 | S. Morais | Honda CBR1000RR | ||
| Did not qualify for Superpole | |||||
| 21 | 15 | M. Baiocco | Kawasaki ZX 10R | 1’36.104 | 1.886 |
| 22 | 95 | R. Hayden | Kawasaki ZX 10R | 1’36.117 | 1.899 |
| 23 | 17 | S. Andrews | Kawasaki ZX 10R | 1’36.329 | 2.111 |
| 24 | 31 | V. Iannuzzo | Honda CBR1000RR | 1’36.524 | 2.306 |
| 25 | 123 | R. Resch | BMW S1000 RR | 1’36.639 | 2.421 |
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