The eighth round of World SBK Championship got underway this morning at the Automotodrom Brno in the Czech Republic and team Althea Racing and rider Carlos Checa immediately threw down the guantlet, registering the overall fastest time of the day and concluding first qualifying in first position.
Despite cloudy skies, rain held off this morning and Carlos Checa was straight out for the first free practice session, projecting himself to the top of the timesheets within the first ten minutes. He continued to improve on his times throughout the hour-long session, registering a best of 2m00.9 in
the final stages, to close this initial practice in seventh position overall.
In the afternoon's first qualifying session, the Althea flagbearer was immediately lapping quickly. A few drops of rain fell during the first phase but didn't affect lap times, with many riders putting in times that auger well for two hard-fought races on Sunday. Over the course of the session Checa
continued to improve, lapping over a second and a half faster than he did in morning practice. He was one of only five riders to lap in under 2m00 on the rather hot track (36˚C), recording several laps in the 1m59 range. His fastest overall time, 1m59.322, came in the final minutes and positioned him in
first place at the session's end.
Carlos Checa:
"Today went well but is only the first day. We were able to make good use of the tire and made a lot of laps with one that probably won't be the race tire, and this is why we look to be a little ahead. We're not in a bad position but at the same time we're not at a big advantage either.
"I'm satisfied with the work done today and we're first, but I'm not looking at that; I'm concentrating instead on the work we have to do tomorrow to have more of a guarantee for the races. Maybe it will rain on Sunday but I'm not particularly worried. I'm confident and think we'll be ready for battle whatever the weather conditions may be."
TIMES (QUALIFYING): 1. Checa (Ducati) 1'59.3; 2. Smrz (Ducati) 1'59.5; 3. Melandri (Yamaha) 1'59.6; 4. Laverty (Yamaha) 1'59.9; 5. Biaggi (Aprilia) 1'59.9; 6. Sykes (Kawasaki) 2'00.1; 7. Haslam (BMW) 2'00.1; 8. Fabrizio (Suzuki) 2'00.1
[Press Release Courtesy of Althea Ducati]
