Carlos Checa is confident he can convert his maiden World Superbike pole position into his first win after destroying the lap record at Miller Motorsports Park in Superpole.
A day of highs and lows for the Spaniard, Checa's hopes were hurt in second qualifying when a fall left him down in fourth place heading into the deciding session.
Nonetheless, an exemplary lap on his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda saw the former
MotoGP rider blast his way to pole position by almost four tenths with a time 1min 48.193. It was a lap that Checa admits he couldn't believe when he first saw the timesheets.
”At the end of the free practice I thought 1.48 w as a good time, but when I saw the other riders improve their lap times I just chased it m ore to set a better time.”
“I tried to be focus and not make any mistakes, break in the right points and ride smoothly. The bike was working well and the grip was good, the setting was just right and I was able to ride well.”
“When I saw my lap time I had t o look twice as I couldn't believe it and thought the 1 was a 7 - but no, it was in the right place and I set the fastest time. For me to make this improvement and claim the pole, specially after my crash this morning.”
Checa has now set his sights on completing his weekend with a first win in the series, although he admits he is hurting from his morning crash still.
“It will be important for me to start well tomorrow – I am in the best position and will try to make a good race. At the moment I have pain everywhere, but I am very satisfied with the results of today.”
