Haslam keeping the heat on his rivals

Feb 28 2010 by Zoe Burn, Sunday Sun

And third was second Brit Cal Crutchlow, who clearly had the pace over team-mate, two-times World Champion James Toseland.

After a difficult start to pre-season testing for both Yamaha Sterilgarda riders, Crutchlow seemed in control as he took third, ahead of Carlos Checa in fourth.

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s Johnny Rea was third highest qualifying Brit in seventh, with Toseland rounding off the second row in eighth.

Meanwhile, in World Supersport, Durham-based Eugene Laverty was disappointed to qualify his Parkalgar Honda fourth quickest, while his main rival, Kawasaki’s Joan Lascorz took pole.

But Laverty was planning to get back to business at the green light this morning, and felt a win was certainly within his grasp.

“It was important to get on the front row and if I hadn’t achieved that I wouldn’t have been happy,” he said last night.

“I didn’t quite have the pace I hoped for but I’m feeling good and my Parkalgar Honda is performing well.

“I will be pushing for the podium.”