Second row for Guintoli at Silverstone BSB

Sylvain Guintoli expressed his joy today in finding his rhythm and so taking the Worx Crescent Suzuki to a second row qualifying position for tomorrow's British Superbike Championship races at Silverstone.

Guintoli, in his third meeting back since injury, has made consistent progress through the two days of practice and qualifying. Yesterday he finished 13th fastest in first practice and then 11th fastest in the second session, cutting 0.7-seconds off his lap times. This morning he slashed his times by a further 0.8-seconds to be 6th fastest in final practice. He finished the Roll for Pole qualifier in 8th, barely 0.4-seconds off the front row.

Sylvain Guintoli: "We've had a good two days. Definitely we've improved a lot and for the first time since my comeback I feel confident for the race tomorrow.

"My rhythm is coming back and so my speed is building naturally. I really like the track too, it's very good, very interesting, although that last chicane - it's so slow!"

Jack Valentine, team manager: "We're pleased with Sylvain's progress. Clearly his confidence is coming back to him and the bike clearly belongs to him again.

"I think initially he felt pressure to come back as soon as he could. I could understand that - he's a racer after all - but there is no pressure from us. We want him to find his way back in his own way and in his own time. As it is he's already starting to look his smooth, fast self again and so we're looking forward to what tomorrow may bring."

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli, Swan Combi 50 - Roll for Pole, Silverstone:

1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) 1m:25.391s
2. James Ellison (Airwaves Yamaha) +0.097s
3. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.577s
4. Stuart Easton (Hydrex Honda) +0.700s
5. Tommy Hill (Hydrex Honda) +0.954s
6. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +1.006s
7. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.049s
8. Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.130s
9. Julien Da Costa (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.166s
10. Ian Lowry (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +1.268s

For further information contact Jonathan Bentman, press officer to Worx Crescent Suzuki at bsb@suzukipress.co.uk or visit www.suzuki.co.uk