Jakub Smrz powered to a stunning first ever pole start in the sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Thruxton.
The vastly experienced rider from the Czech Republic celebrated the team’s best qualifying performance in their debut season, giving Ducati their first pole start since 2010.
Smrz held off the intense challenge of title-chasing Australian Josh Brookes on the Milwaukee Yamaha in the final session. He said: “This is a really great feeling. Before the start of qualifying I had joked with the team that I could become the first to win a watch as the pole starter in both the World and British series! This is important for us as we improve every round, the bike is getting better in every session and we are working hard. I enjoying the bike and finally we are getting something back, now I hope for the same in the races!”
Dan Linfoot completes the front row of the grid for the local Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki team, his best qualifying position in the series. He eased the series leader and three times former title-winner Shane Byrne back into fourth fastest though the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider was only 0.003s adrift of him.
Michael Rutter starts his Bathams BMW alongside Byrne on the second row which is completed by local hero Tommy Bridewell on the second Milwaukee Yamaha. Former MotoGP rider John Hopkins set the seventh best time to be on the third row alongside Peter Hickman on the RAF Reserves Honda and Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker. Jon Kirkham completes the top ten on the Halsall Biker Gear Kawasaki.
Datatag Extreme Qualifying:
1: Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) 1m:15.281s
2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.116s
3: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.342s
4: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.345s
5: Michael Rutter (Bathams BMW) +0.375s
6: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.662s
