Benelli Sport narrowly miss out Superpole
Added on Friday, June 7th, 2002 by Carole Nash Editor
Benelli Sport narrowly miss out Superpole
“I was surprised to get pole,” said Foret afterwards, “I thought my time wasn’t the best I could do and felt sure another rider would go faster. I feel I can go quicker around this circuit. I am hoping for a dry race on Sunday, but if it rains, then at least I am at the front and hopefully can avoid too much spray!”
Meanwhile MacPherson was angry with himself’ “There’s no problems with my tyres or set up, I just made too many mistakes,” admitted MacPherson who qualified down in 17th place. “My race plan for Sunday is simply to ride absolutely flat out from the start and try to make up as many places as quickly as possible. I feel that I can do better here and I am mad with myself for slipping down the grid like that.” At least if it does rain we know that MacPherson can go at Lausitzring in the wet, he was a provisional second on the grid after Friday’s wet session.
The results produced mixed emotions for team manager Ronald ten Kate; “Of course I am overjoyed at Fabien’s brilliant performance, to come from 21st on yesterday’s grid to pole is the high point of the day for me. But the low point is to see Iain going in the opposite direction. But I know he’s a real fighter and he’ll throw 110% effort into his performance on Sunday. I think we’re in for another exciting World Supersport race!”
The weekend has presented special challenges for the team and their partners at Pirelli Tyres and WP Suspension. The changing conditions make life very difficult when setting up the bikes. “The positive thing for us,” said Eddie Roberts from Pirelli, “is that these are just the sort of conditions a street rider will experience. And because at Pirelli we use information gained from racing directly in our street tyres, the road rider benefits most from these weekends of difficult weather.”
The forecast for Sunday’s race is dry, but experience has taught the Ten Kate Honda team to be ready for anything as far as the weather’s concerned!
