Playing shrewd tactics throughout the three-stage roll-for-pole qualifiers, Guintoli left his best lap until the very last, scorching to an incredible 1:31.111. But for a couple of mistakes in that lap, he may well have gained pole - which he missed by a blink of an eye - just 0.046-seconds.

Sylvain Guintoli:

"We've progressed a lot over the two days of practice and qualifying. In our first practice yesterday our best was 1:33.3. Today we're over two seconds a lap quicker. Again we worked on our settings overnight and came up with something that felt very good. We knew the roll-for-pole would be a tough one so we held back in the early stages - I was only sixth fastest in the second session - but that allowed us a fresh tyre for the end. The team was so professional, I came in with seconds to spare to get that last flying lap and I had everything I needed. We could have had that pole but I made a few mistakes, but I am not unhappy; we are ready for the races.

"Tomorrow's races are going to be close, I think. Leon Camier's going well - he's on pole - so I'm anticipating a good fight!"

Jack Valentine - Team Manager:

"Everyone's done a fantastic job; Sylvain's riding very well and we're in a good position for tomorrow. We did our race simulations and we're confident Sylvain will be able to put in 1:31s during the race, probably settling into consistent 1:32s toward the end. To put his times into perspective, today Sylvain was lapping 7/10ths-of-a-second quicker than he was on his MotoGP Ducati on race tyres. This is a very, very fast pace.

"Everything is looking very positive. The GSX-R's base settings are still working really well with just minor adjustments. The tyres are also working extremely well and given Sylvain's performance in that last session, where he was able to push to almost pole-time in just one lap, it shows the confidence he has in the bike.

"The forecast for tomorrow is for cooler temperatures, but we'll be fine if it's as hot as it was today, or cooler. There's a slight chance of rain but Sylvain's proved he's very happy in the wet. Yes, we're very confident for a good pair of results tomorrow."

ViSK British Superbike Pole result:

1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) 1m:31.047s
2. Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.064s
3. James Ellison (Airwaves Yamaha) +0.395s
4. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +0.538s
5. Chris Walker (Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha) +0.758s
6. Glen Richards (HM Plant Honda) +0.816s
7. Karl Harris (Hydrex Honda) +0.893s
8. Stuart Easton (Hydrex Honda) +1.029s
9. Julien Da Costa (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.199s
10. Ian Lowry (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +1.844s



SEELEY ON SUPERSTOCK POLE: LOWRY IN BSB TOP 10

Alastair Seeley maintained his 100 per cent pole position record with another quality performance on the 2009 GSX-R1000 at Donington Park during qualifying for round three of the National 1000cc Superstock Championship.

Seeley dominated both sessions and his pole time of 1min 34.336 was inside the European Superstock lap record for the Donington Park circuit.

In the British Superbike Class, series rookie Ian Lowry thoroughly enjoyed his day in the sun, making the final cut off for the fastest ten riders, and although he didn't post as quick-a-time in the final shoot-out, he can take it to the men in front, from his third row grid slot in Monday's two races.

Japan's Atsushi Watanabe missed the cut for the top 20 by 1/1000th-of-a-second and will start on row six in 22nd position.

BJ Toal, also running a 2009 GSX-R1000 in the National Superstock series with Relentless Suzuki qualified on row four in 16th place. The Omagh rider is making his first foray in the National Superstock 1000cc Championship and is confident of improving his grid position in tomorrow's race, inspired by his second session time where he shaved almost a second off his personal best.

Ian Lowry:

"I'm happy and I'm not happy as I'm capable of going faster. If I can get on the back of those front men tomorrow I know I can run their pace all day long and be in the mix. We are constantly working on set-up to suit my style, but the GSX-R1000 Suzuki is awesome to ride and I'm loving the challenge of the BSB class. The boys in the garage are all happy and we're working really well together - let's hope it clicks tomorrow."

Alastair Seeley:

"These next two circuits are my favourite in the series and if the 2009 GSX-R1000 can work as well as it has been doing, I feel very confident of replicating my Oulton and North West 200 results for the team. I was second half way through the second session but we stuck a new tyre in and pushed some traffic out of the way to record another pole slot for Relentless Suzuki. We may make a few minor adjustments for tomorrow's race but I'm a happy chappy."

Philip Neill - Team Principal:

"It's been a positive day all round for the team. Ian Lowry has progressed all weekend with a faster lap speed in every session and the boys have worked hard to help him achieve his place in the top 10. Given that it's only his third time on the bike in a competitive environment, Ian is doing tremendously well and a pair of top-10 finishes tomorrow is his target.

"Atsu is still not feeling as confident as he would like to be with his set-up on the Superbike so we will work with him and hopefully he can improve his times in both races. I'm beginning to think the 2009 GSX-R1000 was made for Alastair Seeley with yet another pole time. He has kept his 100 per cent record in Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing colours and despite leading the series, he will no doubt be looking for another win tomorrow. BJ Toal is steadily improving and although he's a few places behind where he'd like to be, I have every confidence in his ability."

National 1000 Superstock Pole: 1 Alastair Seeley [Relentless Suzuki] 1:34.336; 2 Steve Brogan - 1:34.518; 3 Scott Smart [Ducati] 1:34.741; 4 Richard Cooper [Yamaha] 1:34.992; 5 Adam Jenkinson [Honda] 1:35.256; 6 Daniel Hegarty [Suzuki] 1:35.990. 16th - BJ Toal [Relentless Suzuki] 1:37.067.