Phillip Island, 14 October: In cool conditions at the seaside Phillip Island circuit Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa qualified thirteenth, on the fifth row of the grid, for the Australian Grand Prix. While the rain cleared for qualifying, with sunny periods in the afternoon, track temperatures hovered at a chilly 25 degrees.

Despite many overnight changes to his Honda RC212V Checa says that he has still not found the optimum set-up for the highspeed Island circuit. Checa and crew chief Ramon Forcada are planning to make further changes in tomorrow’s pre-race warm-up as they aim for a top ten result. Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa will start from pole position.

CHECA: Thirteenth - 1’31.203

CHECA : “Unfortunately we have not made a lot of progress from yesterday and the main problem is still a lack of front grip, I have little confidence in the fast corners. I have had some long, front-end slides and nearly crashed a couple times. We have some set-up ideas to try in the warm-up and hopefully this will improve things for the race. I like this track and know that in the right conditions I can be much faster, but it is not easy when you do not have a comfortable feeling with the bike.”

In final qualifying for the 250cc grand prix Eugene Laverty made a dramatic improvement after being slowed by a electrical problem yesterday.

LAVERTY: “Today was much better, the engine was running perfectly and I made a lot of progress, improving my times by seconds over practice this morning. It’s pity we lost time on Friday but that’s racing. if we can find a little more rear traction I know I can have a good race, I really like the circuit.”