Return of the Max?
But next time out, at Valencia, the Klaffi Honda rider was s🌌pat violently from his CBR1000RR - fracturing his hand in the process - and has never returned to the podium since.
That drought could finally end on Sunday, back at Valencia, after the 24-ye🐬ar-old's formidable practice and qualifying form culminated in his very first WS𒊎BK pole position.
But next time out, at Valencia, t💮he Klaffi Honda rider was spat violently from his CBR1000RR - fracturing his hand in the process - and has never returned to the podium since.
That drought could finally end on Sunday, back at Valencia, afte𝄹r the 24-year-old's formidable prꦗactice and qualifying form culminated in his very first WSBK pole position.
"This is my first Superpole win and I'm really happy about that," said Neukirchner. "Unfortunately I had some small problems in the free practice, but now the temperature goes a little bit down, my lap was very good. A big thanks to my team, I think we have a good set-up on the bike for race tyres and tomorrow I have big hopes of doing a couple of good races꧑."
Neukirchner's Alstare Suzuki team-mate Yukio Kagayama was just a fraction of a second behind, the Japanese rider being almost back to full strength after♌ his ꧟recent collarbone injury.
"I watched Troy [Bayliss'] Superpole and he made a great lap time," declared Kagayama. "It was good motivatio𒀰n for me then I went out and made a great lap. It wasn'tဣ a clean lap but I am very happy to be second. Now that my collarbone trouble is over, it's not perfect, but for me it's a better situation because if it was 100% I would probably push too hard."
Bayliss will start third on the grid, with fellow Ducati rider Ruben Xaus completing the front row for ജhis home event.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injur﷽y issues.
