Despite a disappointing qualifying session, Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa is confident that he can race strongly and challenge for a top ten finish in tomorrow’s Turkish Grand Prix. Checa faces a huge task from position 16, on the sixth row of the grid, for the 22 lap race.

Following positive progress on race set-up and tyre evaluation today, Checa feels he has a competitive package in race trim. And while he does not underestimate the challenge ahead, Checa is confident that his race plan will produce a strong result. Qualifying was run in sunny and warm conditions with Valentino Rossi claiming pole position.

CHECA: Sixteenth - 1’54.221

CHECA: “For sure from 16th position on the grid the main thing I can do is overtake some riders! Overall today was positive but qualifying was disappointing. I am very satisfied with my race set-up and tyre choice, but the big handicap is starting so far behind. However I have a lot of confidence that I can recover many positions, I’m confident of my braking points for overtaking. On my final qualifying run I lost a few tenths of a second behind Kenny Roberts. Normally Kenny takes care of the riders behind, but today he was in the middle of the track and this cost me some time.”

Irish rookie Eugene Laverty will start from position 21 for the 250cc grand prix after a trouble free qualifying session.

LAVERTY (250cc class): “I was in a group of fast riders and I improved my times every lap, but also got held up in traffic a couple of times. I’m happy with the bike, we just need to make a final tyre choice for the race distance. This is a great track, a lot of fun to ride and very physical in the downhill braking areas.”