| Cal Crutchlow |
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British riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland demonstrated the big steps forward in bike set up on the 2010 R1 today, challenging through all three Superpole sessions to take first and second row starts respectively. Both riders had used their qualifier tyres by the end of the second session, using race rubber for their final heat. In an amazing turn of speed Crutchlow put in an incredible 1'31.642 to secure third whilst team-mate Toseland put his head down to secure eighth a row behind.
The qualifying session earlier in the day saw again more improvement from the Yamaha team. Without any of the chatter problems from the test to be seen the increased power on the new bike was evident. Crutchlow ended the second qualifying heat in third, just over two tenths of pole whilst Toseland defied the pain in his hand from yesterday's highside to secure fifth, again less than three tenths off pole. These impressive performances by both riders gave an overall qualifying position of fourth for Crutchlow and sixth for Toseland prior to Superpole.
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (3rd, 1.31.642)
"This morning wasn't too bad for me, I'm pleased enough with the race pace. I think we're struggling for the podium but that's what I'm aiming for as always. If we can be somewhere near I'll be happy! We managed to get a good lap out at the end of Superpole and I was pleased with that. Going into the weekend we weren't even in the points, Yamaha has done a really good job this week and we've worked some stuff out. Hopefully we can keep the cooler conditions as they'll help us tomorrow. Let's see what we can do."
James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (8th, 1'32.019)
"I was annoyed with myself for the highside yesterday, we had some issues with the electronics which caught me out so today was damage limitation for that. The balance and the bike itself has improved a lot over the weekend but the electronics now need to catch up a bit. I hurt my hand in the fall which is quite painful, especially as this is a really physical circuit and you need your strength to get round it. I made a mistake on my first tyre in Superpole this afternoon which forced me to use the qualifier in the first session, so I had to use a race tyre for the last session. I knew if I could get into the last eight then I'd be happy with the second row. We've got quite a lot more to do with the bike, but to see where we were before the weekend and to now be Cal on the first row and me on the second just shows you what a good job the team has done. They've put us in a position where we can have a go."
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
"We have made a really good improvement over the last few days. In the beginning we were struggling but we've found a way to solve everything. Slowly we've been improving the performance with both bikes. To achieve the first two rows for the first race of the season with new riders, especially Cal coming from Supersport, is a great result. Tomorrow we'll have to see the weather forecast and decide which tyres we want to use for the race. We are satisfied for today!"
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Circuit Length: 4445 Weather: Overcast
Lap Record: 1'32.402 (Troy Bayliss, 01/01/2006) Fastest Lap Ever: 1'31.069 (Ben Spies, 01/03/2009) Last Years Winner: Ben Spies
| 2010 WSB Australia - Phillip Island 27/02/2010 |
| Superpole |
| Pos. | Rider | Manu. | Nat. | Total Time |
| 1 | Leon Haslam | Suzuki | GBR | 1'31.229 |
| 2 | Michel Fabrizio | Ducati | ITA | 1'31.245 |
| 3 | Cal Crutchlow | Yamaha | GBR | 1'31.642 |
| 4 | Carlos Checa | Ducati | ESP | 1'31.671 |
| 5 | Sylvain Guintoli | Suzuki | FRA | 1'31.696 |
| 6 | Jakub Smrz | Ducati | CZE | 1'31.757 |
| 7 | Jonathan Rea | Honda | GBR | 1'31.912 |
| 8 | James Toseland | Yamaha | GBR | 1'32.019 |
| 9 | Lorenzo Lanzi | Ducati | ITA | 1'32.205 |
| 10 | Noriyuki Haga | Ducati | JPN | 1'32.229 |
| 11 | Max Biaggi | Aprilia | ITA | 1'32.293 |
| 12 | Tom Sykes | Kawasaki | GBR | 1'32.398 |
| 13 | Troy Corser | BMW | AUS | 1'32.430 |
| 14 | Chris Vermeulen | Kawasaki | AUS | 1'32.561 |
| 15 | Ruben Xaus | BMW | ESP | 1'32.842 |
| Qualifying 2 |
| Pos. | Rider | Nat. | QUAL I | QUAL II |
| 1 | Carlos Checa | ESP | 1'32.155 | 1'32.227 |
| 2 | Michel Fabrizio | ITA | 1'32.162 | 1'33.099 |
| 3 | Leon Haslam | GBR | 1'32.373 | 1'32.436 |
| 4 | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | 1'33.038 | 1'32.446 |
| 5 | Sylvain Guintoli | FRA | 1'32.902 | 1'32.448 |
| 6 | James Toseland | GBR | 1'33.422 | 1'32.455 |
| 7 | Jonathan Rea | GBR | 1'32.884 | 1'32.460 |
| 8 | Chris Vermeulen | AUS | 1'33.389 | 1'32.500 |
| 9 | Leon Camier | GBR | 1'33.296 | 1'32.548 |
| 10 | Jakub Smrz | CZE | 1'32.905 | 1'32.571 |
| 11 | Lorenzo Lanzi | ITA | 1'33.454 | 1'32.620 |
| 12 | Shane Byrne | GBR | 1'32.635 | 1'33.695 |
| 13 | Troy Corser | AUS | 1'33.512 | 1'32.684 |
| 14 | Noriyuki Haga | JPN | 1'32.703 | 1'32.751 |
| 15 | Tom Sykes | GBR | 1'33.492 | 1'32.806 |
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