The second day of qualifying at the Nurburgring saw Yamaha Sterilgarda riders James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow deliver grid positions for tomorrow’s races that did not reflect the impressive performance of the British duo through the sessions. Toseland made quick progress from yesterday, improving his set up to finish 12th in the second qualifying session. The subsequent Superpole heats saw him on the pace immediately, passing through the first heat easily in fourth with a 1’55.486 on a race tyre. Toseland then used both qualifier tyres in the second heat, passing through in seventh to the final stage. Superpole three saw an impressive run as he took his second front row start of the season with a third position on the grid. Unfortunately Toseland left the pit lane several seconds before the start of the final session so was penalised and dropped to eighth on the second row of the grid for the races.

Team mate Cal Crutchlow had also shown consistent fast pace through today’s sessions and also passed through the first Superpole heat easily in third, just in front of his team mate with a 1’55.442 on a used race tyre. Midway through the second heat Crutchlow switched to his qualifier but was unable to get the performance needed from it to graduate through to the final stage. As a result he will start from tenth on the grid tomorrow.

James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (8th, 1.’54.909)
“I’ve really enjoyed riding around the Nurburgring, it’s pretty new to me as I’ve not been here for eleven years. Unfortunately I exited the pit lane apparently on a red light, I didn’t do that intentionally but I’ve been penalised so my third position grid start has been taken away and I’ve been put back to eighth on the second row of the grid. The first two rows are really important here because the first corner is very tight. I’m obviously disappointed about that but the officials have taken that stance, I can’t really argue with it I just have to comply, that’s the rules. I’m still looking forward to two good races tomorrow.”

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (10th, 1’55.295)
“We struggled a bit today with the lack of grip from the tyres. I seemed to go faster on my race tyres than my qualifiers which was frustrating. I think we are up there with top five race pace, but it’s not easy to pass here so getting through the field is difficult, everyone is on the same sort of line and times are really similar. It’s going to be difficult to make some moves so I’m hoping for a good start off the line.”

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
“The weekend is a typical weekend for us . Yesterday, probably due to the long break we lost some time in setting up the bike as the riders got back onto their pace again. Today both the riders and the bikes were better and better but unfortunately things outside of our control prevented us from achieving more. For Cal his Qualifier didn’t seem to perform well and I’m very sorry for James as he achieved the first row for the second time this season but a little mistake leaving the pits a few seconds before the start of the final Superpole heat means he has to start from the second row. The pace that both riders showed in free practice today was ok so tomorrow I am expecting both of them to be up there.”