Monterey, 21 July: Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa Carlos will start tomorrow’s U.S. Grand Prix from fifteenth position following today’s sun-soaked qualifying session at Laguna Seca Raceway. Checa’s best time was just 0.3s off a second row starting position in a highly competitive session. Pole position went to Australian rider casey Stoner.

While pleased with his progress towards a race set-up during the morning practice, when he was 10th fastest, Checa was unable to improve his pace using a soft qualifying tyre in the afternoon, with a track temperature of 45 degrees. At the end of the session Checa slowed when he saw yellow flags being displayed and he was surprised by the reaction of American rider John Hopkins who was on a fast lap.

CHECA: Fifteenth - 1’23.263

CHECA: “Everything was going OK until I tried a soft qualifying tyre this afternoon and could not improve. On race tyres I felt quite comfortable in the morning session, we made good progress, and I think if I can maintain lap times of 1’23s then I can have a good result in the race. At the end of the session I was disappointed in the reaction of John Hopkins when I slowed after seeing yellow flags being displayed. John was a on fast lap me but there were no blue flags and I got out of the throttle to observe the yellow flag. It was unfortunate but perhaps John should control his reactions in these situations and be little more calm.”