Conor Cummins set the fastest time in the second and final qualifying session for tomorrow’s Macau Grand Prix but Stuart Easton’s stunning lap from Thursday remained good enough for him to retain pole position. With cool temperatures again greeting the riders (12 degrees C air temp, 13 degrees C track temp), Easton was unable to better his lap time and so it was left to Cummins on the PBM Kawasaki to set the pace, the Manxman clearly Easton’s main rival heading into the 15-lap race. The 23-year-old Easton turned a lap at 2:26.313 to close to within 0.837-second of Easton and, had it not been for losing time in the final sector, he could well have been a lot closer. “I’m really happy with how today has gone and the bike is simply awesome,” said the Ramsey man. “I’m still getting used to the bike as it’s quite a bit different to the McAdoo bike I’ve been riding all year but we’ve been making small changes here and there to give me a smoother ride, mainly fitting a harder spring, and I feel confident that I can give Stuart a good run for his money. I need to improve in the final sector as that’s where I’m losing a lot of time but the team have given me absolutely everything and you can certainly tell they’re a World Superbike team.” It was a mixed day for the American contingent though and while Mike Barnes, Jeremy Toye and Mark Miller all qualified well, Scott Jensen crashed out with just eight minutes of the session remaining. The Moto Garage Racing rider had taken almost five seconds off his Thursday lap time to move inside the top 20 and looked like he’d dip in to the 2:30 bracket to climb even higher before he lost the front end at the final “R” bend. He escaped with just bruising but the same can’t be said for his Suzuki machine and he’ll sadly be a non-starter. Barnes, just as he did in 2008, continued to make strides forward and riding Paul Bird’s Kawasaki World Superbike machine, he’ll line up in a strong fifth place on the grid, clearly in with a chance of a podium. “I’m really happy with today and I’m already close to two seconds quicker than what I did last year so we’re doing a good job,” said the now-41-year-old veteran. “I had a couple of moments when the front began to push a bit, particularly once through Mandarin, so I had to re-group but I managed to do that and we’re not far away. Last year I was on a Honda with Dunlops, now I’m on a Kawasaki with Pirellis so there’s been a bit of adjusting to do and we’ve been working hard on keeping the front down as the bike wants to wheelie everywhere. It’s an awesome bike and I’m having a lot of fun with the team again – I just wish I was 10-15 years younger as I’d be tapping Birdy up for a full time ride!” Toye and Miller put in solid performances on their AMA/DMG-spec machines to place 12th and 13th respectively, the experienced duo separated by just 0.2-second, and they’re both handily placed to make a significant impression on the top 10 tomorrow. However, Miller admitted they’re down on speed compared to the full Superbike-spec machines. “Qualifying hasn’t been too bad and Jeremy and I are the first of the stockers so we’re doing ok. We just don’t have the power or kit to challenge the Superbikes but I can do consistent 2:29 laps so if I can do that in the race, we should have a good result. It’s a little frustrating as I’m sure I could do a 2:27 if I had a full Superbike but the Suzuki is working to its maximum and we have a good race set-up so if I can get a good start, I’m hoping I can pick up a tow and get pulled along.” Michael Rutter looked like he’d challenge Easton too but his first flying lap was interrupted by the a flag and then in the closing minutes, his bike broke down on his final lap, again when he looked like setting a personal best. He remained in third overall ahead of Ian Hutchinson, Barnes and Rico Penzkofer on the BMW. John McGuinness, victor in 2001, slipped back to seventh with Thomas Hinterreiter, Gary Johnson and Stephen Thompson completing the top 10. Perhaps the most impressive performance came from British Superbike star Simon Andrews who leaped up to 11th place overall, a time of 2:29.310 making him comfortably the best newcomer. Final Qualifying Times 1. Stuart Easton (Hydrex IGT Honda) 2:25.476s 2. Conor Cummins (PBM Kawasaki WSBK Team) -0.837-second 3. Michael Rutter (Team of Paris/AXA Racing Kawasaki) -1.636 4. Ian Hutchinson (PBM Kawasaki WSBK Team) -1.997 5. Mike Barnes (PBM Kawasaki WSBK Team) -2.345 6. Rico Penzkofer (BMW Macau Racing Team) -2.478 7. John McGuinness (Hydrex IGT Honda) -2.583 8. Thomas Hinterreiter (Yamaha Austria Racing Team) -2.760 9. Gary Johnson (AIM Racing Suzuki) -2.954 10. Stephen Thompson (Robinson Concrete Honda) -3.796 12. Jeremy Toye (Lee’s Cycles Racing Honda) -4.106 13. Mark Miller (Celtic Racing Suzuki) -4.398 19. Scott Jensen (Moto Garage Racing Suzuki) -7.242 56th Macau Grand Prix 43rd Motorcycle Grand Prix November 20, 2009 Qualifying Session Two Results: 1. Conor CUMMINS (Kawasaki), IOM, 2:26.313 2. Ian HUTCHINSON (Kawasaki), GBR, 2:27.473 3. Mike BARNES (Kawasaki), USA, 2:27.821 4. Rico PENZKOFER (BMW), GER, 2:27.954 5. John McGUINNESS (Honda), GBR, 2:28.059 6. Thomas HINTERREITER (Yamaha), AUT, 2:28.236 7. Gary JOHNSON (Yamaha), GBR, 2:28.430 8. Michael RUTTER (Kawasaki), GBR, 2:28.482 9. Simon ANDREWS (Kawasaki), GBR, 2:29.310 10. Stuart EASTON (Honda), GBR, 2:29.475 11. Jeremy TOYE (Honda), USA, 2:29.582 12. Mark MILLER (Suzuki), USA, 2:29.874 19. Scott JENSEN (Suzuki), USA, 2:32.718 Final Combined Qualifying Results: 1. Stuart Easton (Honda), GBR, 2:25.476 2. Conor Cummins (Kawasaki), IOM, 2:26.313 3. Michael Rutter (Kawasaki), GBR, 2:27.112 4. Ian Hutchinson (Kawasaki), GBR, 2:27.473 5. Mike Barnes (Kawasaki), USA, 2:27.821 6. Rico Penzkofer (BMW), GER, 2:27.954 7. John McGuinness (Honda), GBR, 2:28.059 8. Thomas Hinterreiter (Yamaha), AUT, 2:28.236 9. Gary Johnson (Yamaha), GBR, 2:2:28.430 10. Stephen Thompson (Honda), GBR, 2:29.272 12. Jeremy Toye (Honda), USA, 2:29.582 13. Mark Miller (Suzuki), USA, 2:29.874 19. Scott Jensen (Suzuki), USA, 2:32.718 More, from a press release issued by Hydrex Honda: EASTON STORMS TO POLE POSITION In a sensational qualifying session Stuart Easton has put the Hydrex IGT Honda on pole position for tomorrow’s 43rd Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. The twenty six year old Scot’s best qualifying lap was 2m 25.476s which is a new lap record for the Guia circuit and was almost one second faster than his nearest rival, Connor Cummins. John McGuinness also had a good session, qualifying the Hydrex IGT Honda on the second row of the grid in P7. Stuart Easton, “It started as a difficult session because of the cold track and also the overnight road traffic on the circuit had reduced grip levels from yesterday’s sessions. However, as the session progressed I realised the bike set up was ideal for the race and I was able to lap faster and faster. Obviously I’m really pleased to be on pole and to have set a new lap record. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s race!” John McGuinness, “Unlike Stuart, I’ve not been racing this bike all season and it’s a challenge to get on an unfamiliar bike and be immediately competitive. Also, the weather at Macau is much cooler than in previous years and the colder track is definitely affecting grip. Having said this, my lap times improved throughout the session and I’m pleased to be on the second row. I feel confident for tomorrow’s race and know I can run with the best of them.” Pete Jennings, Stuart Easton’s Crew Chief, “Stuart has done a mega job, as we have come to expect this season. Today we tested a different race tyre and resolved some minor technical issues meaning we are now fully ready for tomorrow’s race”. Shaun Muir, Team Owner, “Stuart, John and the team have done a fantastic job this morning. It has been difficult to get the best set up given the cold track conditions this morning but both riders have worked really hard and the results speak for themselves. We’re on pole position with the #1 plate, the team have really delivered.”