Biaggi poised to extend advantage at Brno

Max Biaggi starts second at Brnp - 12 grid positions and three rows up on title rival Leon Haslam.

10 Jul 2010

Biaggi, Czech WSBK 2010
© Gold and Goose

Both Max Biaggi and Aprilia are well positioned to increase their advantage in the World Superbike Championship standings after snatching second position on the grid at Brno.

The Italian comes to the Czech venue keen to build on a superb record there, one that includes Aprilia's first win with the RSV-4 last season, although the former MotoGP rider admits things haven't been going to plan so far this weekend.

Nonetheless, Biaggi is satisfied with the progress made during the sessions as he went on to claim second position on the grid behind Cal Crutchlow.

While he isn't entirely convinced he will be the rider to beat come race day, he does start well ahead of key title rival Leon Haslam, the Suzuki rider down in 14th.

"I'm happy with the starting position," he said. "The front row is always an encouraging result, in spite of the fact that the high temperatures hurt us a little bit coming out of the medium-slow turns. With the hard work we did yesterday and this morning we were able to obtain good balance.

"The bike has consistently improved in spite of some small problems we had in the first practice on Friday. Tomorrow should be fun, there are quite a few of us in the game and we'll need to have eyes in the back of our helmets!

"Anyway, I'm keen to do well here at Brno, both for our two first place standings and for the particular feeling that I have with this magnificent track."

Team-mate Leon Camier, meanwhile, is having a hard time getting comfortable on his first visit to Brno, the Briton qualifying in 13th.

"We've sorted the situation after having struggled to find the most satisfactory set-up," he said. "There is still work to do, that much is clear, both on the bike and on my interpretation of the track. After the changes we made today grip has improved a lot.

"We'll try to improve on some details tomorrow and prepare as best we can for the two races. It isn't impossible to make a comeback here. The important thing is to stay focused on the goal and give it everything we've got!"