Checa bounces back after huge practice crash
Carlos Checa is in a buoyant mood after producing one of his and Alstare Ducati's best qualifying performances of the season just hours after being sent to the medical centre following a high-speed crash in Q2.
Checa has shown encouraging pace on the twin-cylinder machine around the Russian circuit this weekend, but his chances of turning that into a strong Superpole performance were put in jeopardy by a dramatic Q2 accident prompted by a technical issue that locked the rear wheel at speed down the back straight.
Flinging Checa off the bike onto his shoulder and head, the Spaniard was taken to the medical centre for checks but was quickly passed fit to take part in Superpole.
Once there, Checa made it into SP3 before securing a spot on the outside of the second row. Though he was frustrated to see a better result hampered by the Ducati's relative lack of top speed down the long back straight, he was otherwise happy given the circumstances of his day.
"Considering how this morning went, with the crash, I'd say that we did well in Superpole. I felt better and we were able to record some good times. Of course we have a limitation along the straight where we're losing at least three tenths but in the mixed section I was able to lap fast with the used tyre.
"My mechanics have done a great job today, providing me with a bike - built from the rolling chassis - that was well balanced and almost identical to my bike of yesterday. It was a pity that I crashed this morning, I hit my head and also my shoulder but in the end it didn't bother me while riding, I just had a bit of a headache after the session ended.
"As long as I rest up this evening I'll be fine for the races. It won't change a lot for us if it's wet tomorrow, the race would be more 'open' but that would the case for everyone so we'll see. I feel ready whatever conditions are like tomorrow."
