Leon Haslam mastered the changing conditions in ROKiT Oxygen Performance Qualifying at the TT Circuit Assen to claim the Omologato Pole Position for the Moto Rapido Racing team ahead of today’s opening British Superbike Championship race.
The start of the session began with teams and riders gambling on tyre choice, but Haslam and Moto Rapido Racing made the decision to go for the intermediate tyre choice and their decision was vindicated with the fastest lap of the session.
Ryan Vickers and Honda Racing UK made a last minute change from the wet tyre and that proved crucial for their session as they surged into second with a Superpole-style one lap attack in the final minutes.
Danny Kent completed the front row for Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha as he held off the chasing pack in the hectic final moments of the session.
Kyle Ryde had been outside the top ten and he also had to return for a tyre change before a final bid for the front row; just narrowly missing out to put the Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing team into fourth place.
The defending champion just managed to move ahead of closest championship rival Scott Redding and the Hager PBM Racing Team, who also moved onto the second row in the closing stages with Jason O'Halloran completing the top six.
Rory Skinner was seventh on the second of the Cheshire Mouldings Yamahas just ahead of Storm Stacey and Glenn Irwin, with Max Cook completing the top ten. Meanwhile Bradley Ray will start from the fifth row in 13th place for the opening race of the BSB Showdown.
British Superbike Championship, TT Circuit Assen, ROKiT Oxygen Performance Qualifying result:
- Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Racing) 1m:43.905s
- Ryan Vickers (Honda Racing UK) +0.129s
- Danny Kent (Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha) +0.812s
- Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing) +1.580s
- Scott Redding (Hager PBM Racing Team) +2.095s
- Jason O'Halloran (Honda Racing UK) +2.207s
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha) +2.772s
- Storm Stacey (Bathams AJN Racing Ducati) +2.968s
- Glenn Irwin (Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing) +3.768s
- Max Cook (AJN Steelstock bimota) +4.413s
For the full session result please click here