Byrne battles for Croft supremacy

Added on Saturday, May 14th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor

Shane Byrne staked his claim at the head of the British Superbike field this afternoon, to take pole position at Croft circuit in North Yorkshire.

A busy run for qualifying saw the weather play a part, as the final bat for pole position was slightly delayed due to rain. However, after seeing his rivals struggle during each session, it was Byrne who returned to the front to take pole.

The first session saw Stuart Easton take the early control, whilst reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari struggled further down the field. Easton held the advantage until the final few minutes when Michael Laverty stole the top spot. The second outing went the way of Laerty once again, as everyone prepared themselves for the final qualifying session.

As the chequered flag fell it was Byrne who battled through the drama to secure the top spot, whilst Laverty settled into second this time around. Loris Baz set the third fastest with Michael Rutter set to complete the front row of the grid in fourth.

The second row of the grid for tomorrow’s opening race will be headed by James Westmoreland, with the Motorpoint Yamaha rider securing his best qualifying position of the season so far. Easton eventually recorded the sixth fastest time, ahead of Dan Linfoot and Tommy Hill.

After taking his first victory at Oulton Park last time out, John Hopkins will start race one tomorrow from ninth place, with Peter Hickman completing the top ten. A few of the big names to miss out on the final fight for pole position, such as Kiyonari and Josh Brookes will start from fourteenth and twelfth, respectively.

Alex Lowes will head the Mirror.co.uk Evo class, returning to his dominant ways after a strong performance at Oulton Park a couple of weeks ago.

Qualifying Positions, BSB, Croft: