Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa will start from twelfth position on the fourth row of the grid for tomorrow’s Qatar Grand Prix, the opening race of the 2007 MotoGP season. Checa’s starting position does not accurately reflect the Spanish rider’s confidence in his race set-up, which he feels will deliver a strong performance over 22 laps of the Losail Circuit.

After fast and consistent times during free practice, Checa’s Honda RC212V suffered severe front-end chatter during qualifying on soft compound tyres. While the solution to this problem is still be found, the problem on soft tyres had been anticipated. On race tyres, Checa has completed a series of long runs and is satisfied with the stability and consistency of his tyre choice under the new regulations limiting rear tyres to a maximum of 17 for the weekend. Warm and sunny weather is predicted for the race.

Carlos Checa : 12th - 1’56.609

CHECA: “I knew qualifying would be difficult because the team had expected front-end chatter using the softer tyres, front and rear, but I did not expect the problem to be at such a high level. By the final two corners of my fast lap I had a big problem on the brakes turning into the corners. But I’m happy with my pace in race trim and I am quite confident, the rear is stable with our race tyre. We need to understand the qualifying chatter for the future but my main focus now is a good start and a strong race.”

British rider Eugene Laverty will make his 250cc debut in tomorrow’s Qatar Grand Prix. The 20-year-old rookie has qualified 24th, improving his best time by 0.7s in qualifying.

LAVERTY: “It hasn’t been the smoothest weekend so far and 24th is not where I want to be, I’m looking forward to a better race performance. I lost track time in the morning session with an engine problem and the chassis set-up is not perfect -- the rear is sliding and the front moving around too much.”