The pole man at Silverstone wasn't Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa, or Marco Melandri. Instead, wildcard rider John Hopkins made his way to the front of the grid with a 2'04.041 time during the Superpole session, setting a new circuit record.
Hopkins beat Cal Crutchlow's record, which was set in 2010, by .05 seconds.
"I'm overwhelmed," Hopkins told MCN. "I just gave it everything I absolutely had in that final qualifying. I know it's just Superpole, but I am so happy to just be here because a lot of doctors told me that I should retire because of my wrist.
"But the real work starts tomorrow, and I'll be giving it my best."
Hopkins will be joined on the front row by Eugene Laverty, Leon Camier, and Carlos Checa.
World Superbike - Superpole Results
- Hopkins - 2'04.041
- Laverty
- Camier
- Checa
- Guintoli
- Melandri
- Fabrizio
- Haga
- Haslam
- Badovini
