Both Team Suzuki Alstare riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli gave the thumbs-up to the new British Silverstone circuit after spending the day learning the new layout. The riders now look forward to improving their positions tomorrow at the 10th round of the World Superbike Championship.

Haslam finished eighth fastest and was the happier of the duo.

“Happily, today was like a normal Friday – and that is a good feeling to have after Brno. This is a fantastic track and has bags of character, is fast and flowing; and there are lots of passing opportunities. I think it’s going to be great racing on Sunday. At the moment, I am still trying to find the right lines around it, but, because the track is quite wide, there are many different lines to try,” said Haslam.

“Tomorrow we’ll push harder, hopefully have a good Superpole; and be in a much-better position on the grid than Brno!”

Alstare teammate Guintoli is upbeat about his prospects tomorrow, despite ending the day 17th in the standings.

“This is a very, very nice track and I’m going to enjoy racing here. Obviously my position today is not so good, but I have been spending the day learning the track and trying to find a good set-up for my bike. The track is very technical and because it is quite bumpy, it is important to get a good set-up. There are many changes of rhythm at this circuit, some slow corners, some fast; and for me it is really interesting. I have to work on the first split because that’s where I’m losing time at the moment, but I once I get that sorted out, my lap times will come down,” said Guintoli.

“This is like a ‘home’ race for me, because I live in UK and many of my friends and fans will be coming to support me this weekend. I would like to improve my position tomorrow, get a high grid place and good results, so that they will go home happy.”

Briton Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) set the day’s fastest lap with a time of 2:05.664 with fellow countryman Jonathan Rea (Honda) second and Troy Corser (BMW) in third.

Friday WSB Qualifying: 1 Cal Crutchlow (GBR-Yamaha) 2:05.664, 2 Jonathan Rea (GBR-Honda) 2:06.006, 3 Troy Corser (AUS-BMW) 2:06.052, 4 Leon Camier (GBR-Aprilia) 2:06.064, 5 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 2:06.088, 6 Toseland (GBR-Yamaha) 2:06.238. 8 Leon Haslam (GBR-Suzuki Alstare) 2:06.464. 17 Sylvain Guintoli (FRA-Suzuki Alstare) 2:07.107.