Reynolds: I had to push hard.

Rizla Suzuki's John Reynolds took his first pole position of the season in the dying seconds of qualification for the fourth round of the Think! British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park today. Yukio Kagayama qualified fourth and the Rizla Suzukis will bookend the front row of the grid for tomorrow's Bank Holiday races.

JR had led the time sheets for much of qualification but was pushed back to third with two and a half minutes remaining. His crew completed a tyre change in just 30-seconds to get him back out on track with fresh rubber and he started his final flying lap with less than five seconds before the chequered flag came out. He duly took half a second off his best time and was nearly a full second faster than the lap record to reinstate his position at the top of the pack and claim pole.

"Thanks to my crew for changing my rear tyre so quickly and getting me out in time to get one more lap in before the chequered flag," said JR afterwards. "I had to push hard, but once I got across the line onto my flying lap, I put my head down and went for it. I didn't get the perfect lap, I'm sure there is a tenth or two still to come, but it was good enough for pole and that's where I want to be. Pole is a distinct advantage here at Oulton Park, going into the first right-hand corner.

"I wanted to do that today. We spent the earlier sessions at the top of the time sheets and I think comfortably we have a very fast race pace for this circuit. My Rizla Suzuki is absolutely fantastic, I cannot fault it. I think Yuki has a bit more to come tomorrow and on race tyres is possibly the closest to me. He could well be my biggest threat for victories."

Yuki had shadowed JR in second position right up until the last 10-minutes of qualification. His attempts at fast qualifying laps were baulked by back markers and he ended up fourth, putting a distinctive blue Rizla Suzuki on either end of the front row for tomorrow's races.

"I make not good qualifying lap this afternoon," said Yukio. "On my fast lap I was held up by a slower rider, then on my next fast lap I make small mistake and come in to pits for new tyre. Then there was no need to go out as not enough time for another lap.

"But this afternoon session was very good. We make some adjustments to chassis and engine power delivery that are good for the race pace. I also make final decision on race tyre. Front row start is good place to be and I think that while this circuit is difficult on my body to ride fast, I like it very much and want to win. I like the taste of champagne."

Suzuki GB's general manager, Nick Barnes, gives his take on the day. "That was an exciting qualifying session and JR left it right to the end to take a well deserved pole. He is proving this year that he is really focussed and wants to win the Championship. His commitment and drive are something special.

"Yuki was a bit unlucky when he went out on his qualifying tyres, but we all know he is a much better racer than qualifier. He's not going to be far away from the front tomorrow and just like JR, you can see he is enjoying himself every time he gets on his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000."