Save for a few problems with their gear ratios,
Ruben Xaus and Max Biaggi produced fine performances to claim fourth and sixth on the grid respectively at
Donington Park.
Although it has been a somewhat quiet weekend for the Sterilgarda Ducati duo, compared to the high-profile tussle between
Troy Bayliss and
Ryuichi Kiyonari, Xaus and Biaggi have been comfortably inside the top ten during practice and qualifying.
This would eventually culminate in Xaus grabbing a spot on the front row when a change in the gear settings allowed him push harder in Superpole.
“During the session I got a lack of grip when I pushed on the gas,” he said. “So I chose to face the Superpole with a different gear setting. That's improved all the set-up and it allowed me to be quicker in the corners. A good choice, definitely.”
The same can be said for Biaggi, who was struggling to get the power down on the damp surface. Nonetheless, sixth on the grid still marks one of his better efforts this year.
“We still have problems in the third part of the track when the engine doesn't work as I wish when I use the first two gears. Anyhow we were constantly quick and we got an excellent starting position.”
