Source: BSB.

Jakub Smrz powered to a stunning first ever pole start in the sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Thruxton.

The vastly experienced rider from the Czech Republic celebrated the team’s best qualifying performance in their debut season, giving Ducati their first pole start since 2010.

Smrz held off the intense challenge of title-chasing Australian Josh Brookes on the Milwaukee Yamaha in the final session.

“This is a really great feeling. Before the start of qualifying I had joked with the team that I could become the first to win a watch as the pole starter in both the World and British series!” Smrz said.

“This is important for us as we improve every round, the bike is getting better in every session and we are working hard. I enjoying the bike and finally we are getting something back, now I hope for the same in the races!”

Dan Linfoot completes the front row of the grid for the local Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki team, his best qualifying position in the series.

He eased the series leader and three times former title-winner Shane Byrne back into fourth fastest though the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider was only 0.003s adrift of him.

Michael Rutter starts his Bathams BMW alongside Byrne on the second row which is completed by local hero Tommy Bridewell on the second Milwaukee Yamaha.

Former MotoGP rider John Hopkins set the seventh best time to be on the third row alongside Peter Hickman on the RAF Reserves Honda and Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker. Jon Kirkham completes the top ten on the Halsall Biker Gear Kawasaki.

Hopkins’ Tyco Suzuki teammate Josh Waters will start from 16th aboard the second of the factory-supported GSX-R1000s.

Alastair Seeley scored a hat trick of Motorpoint British Supersport Championship race wins to grab the lead in the chase for the Motorpoint British Supersport title in a dramatic finale to the opening Sprint race.

The Martrain Yamaha rider had been at the heart of the action amid a five rider scrap for the lead as the slip-streaming battles saw numerous changes of lead and position.

Seeley however saved the best for last, timing his decisive move to perfection on the dash into Club Chicane for the final time.

Luke Jones, aboard the Acumen Industrial Service Triumph, had made the early running and was always in contention as he fought for positions with the Smiths Triumph duo of Billy McConnell and Graeme Gowland as Seeley pushed ahead.

Gowland swooped through from third to first on the penultimate lap to set up a real thriller, but going into the Club Chicane for the final time McConnell made an aggressive move to grab second place on the road. McConnell was later penalised for the move which was made in a waved yellow flag zone, demoting him two places to fourth.

Jones was credited the second place ahead of Gowland with McConnell fourth from Gearlink Kawasaki’s Glenn Irwin and Profile Techcare Triumph’s Luke Mossey.

Jason O’Halloran will start from pole in Superstock 1000 as David Johnson rode to 10th, while in Superstock 600 James Mutton was 23rd and Benjamin Currie 29th.

2014 MCE British Superbike Championship
Round six – Thruxton

Superbike qualifying results:
1. Jakub Smrz 1m15.281s
2. Josh Brookes (AUS) 1m15.397s
3. Dan Linfoot 1m15.623s
4. Shane Byrne 1m15.626s
5. Michael Rutter 1m15.656s
6. Tommy Bridewell 1m15.943s
7. John Hopkins 1m15.969s
8. Peter Hickman 1m16.024s
9. Chris Walker 1m16.071s
10. Jon Kirkham 1m16.770s
16. Josh Waters (AUS) 1m16.642s

Click here for detailed results