Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa will start from position three on the front row of the grid after a superb qualifying effort for his home race, the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. With a perfectly judged qualifying run in the final minute of the one hour session, Checa jumped from 15th to third position, bumping Yamaha rival Colin Edwards from the front row.

The popular Spanish rider finished just 58 hundredths of a second (0.058s) outside pole position claimed by countryman Dani Pedrosa, with Valentino Rossi second fastest. More importantly Checa is the fastest rider on race tyres across the three hours of free practice, with a best time of 1’40.659. He is very satisfied with the progress of set-up work for tomorrow’s 27 lap race on the 4.4 km Jerez circuit, where a front row start is a significant advantage.

CHECA: Third - 1’39.460

CHECA: “This front row is a very good feeling, especially for my home race. Predictions are difficult but if the weather and track are the same for the race as in practice, then we have a very good set-up, and a chance to fight for the podium. The LCR team has done a great job, especially to give me more confidence with the front-end. And until today I have struggled with a lot of chatter on the soft rear qualifying tyre but, with the support of Michelin, we have made a lot of progress in this area. ”

Irish rider Eugene Laverty qualified in position 25 for the 250cc grand prix after escaping injury when he crashed heavily in the morning free practice session.

LAVERTY (250cc class): “This morning’s crash was a big highside between turns three and four, I just made a silly mistake. I improved my times this afternoon but I still have a problem with rear end grip, I know I can do better.”