Lowes takes maiden BSB pole

Added on Sunday, May 29th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor

Alex Lowes scored his maiden pole position at Thruxton this afternoon, after an eventful qualifying session at the Hampsgire based circuit.

As the first of three qualifying sessions got underway, championship points leader Shane Byrne attracted attention when he crashed from his HM Plant Honda bike in the early stages. After an x-ray on his thumb deemed him fit to race tomorrow, Byrne will be forced to start the first race from the very back of the grid.

His HM Plant Honda teammate attracted more attention, when he sat in control after the opening outing. Michael Laverty was right on his tail in second as the session ended, with both hoping to repeat their strong performance in the second session.

As the second session came to a close success had found its way back to Tommy Hill, with the Swan Yamaha rider topping the times second time out. All attentions soon focused on the third and final outing, to see who would score the opening advantage for race one.

As the chequered flag fell for the final time it was Lowes who proved the man to beat, with his first British Superbike pole position. John Hopkins will line up second on the grid, with Hill holding to third place. Michael Rutter will start race one from fourth place, ahead of Peter Hickman and Ryuichi Kiyonari in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Seventh place went the way of Michael Laverty, whilst Loris Baz will start from eighth place. James Westmoreland and Dan Linfoot will complete the top ten on the starting grid for race one.

Commenting on his first pole position and dedicating it to his injured MSS Colchester Kawasaki teammate, Lowes told the official BSB website: “That was for Stuart Easton and we all want to see him back on the bike as soon as possible, it has been a great day for myself and the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team.”

Stuart Easton will not be racing after sustaining injury when he crashed in the North West 200 Superstock qualifying session last week.

Qualifying Positions, BSB, Thruxton: