Worx Crescent Suzuki's Tommy Hill narrowly dipped out on taking pole position from Saturday's Roll for Pole after a titanic qualifying tussle with rival Riuichi Kiyonari. Hill starts tomorrow's first round of the British Superbike Championship at Brand Hatch in Kent from the front row while his team-mate Yukio Kagayama will start on the second row.
The dramatic finish to qualifying came after Hill had put together a commanding performance throughout the three days of practice that culminated with him setting fastest time in third practice on Saturday afternoon.
Hill's performance in the three-stage qualifying today was equally exciting, being the first rider to dip under the 45-second mark then setting fastest time in the second qualifier, with Kagayama third. Hill was fastest for the first half of the final qualifier but was narrowly edged out by Kiyonari in the last minutes.
Tommy Hill:
"I'm over the moon. A front-row start is just what you need for Brands, so tomorrow I'll look for a good start, get in a good lap-or-two then work on being consistent. It's been a good weekend so far, we've been top-two in every session while all the time we've been concentrating getting the bike set up, as against going after the times. Everything is working well and I'm delighted."
Yukio Kagayama:
"Wow, BSB again! Obviously it's not the first time for me, but still it feels so busy. A short narrow track and so many riders. I've done a lot of work in set-up, getting the bike to work in the cold and the wet; there was a lot for me to get used to again. Then in Q2 I was very happy as everything comes together. But in Q3 the tyre gave no grip so I had to pit and we had to put an old tyre back on. I tried my best but the time was gone - second row was the result. So for tomorrow I know I have to get a good start and I try my best."
Jack Valentine - Team Manager:
"We've had a very good practice and qualifying. Tommy has been very strong and at the end it was only him and Kiyonari who regularly put in the 45-second lap times. Tommy was unlucky to miss out on pole; to get a good lap here you need the speed but you also need a clear track and that's hard to find on a track this small. I'm very happy with Yukio's performance, he's had a lot of work to do but Q2 showed what he's capable of. The tyre issue in Q3 robbed him of a possible front row start.
"Overall, we're pretty pleased with the outcome. Both riders have good race set-ups going into tomorrow, the GSX-R1000 is working well and we're positive of some good results to come."
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Roll for Pole:
1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 45.565s 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.126s 3. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.234s 4. Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) +0.278s 5. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.296s 6. Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +0.522s 7. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.542s 8. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.693s 9. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +0.806s 10. James Ellison (Swan Honda)
