By Davey Todd starts from pole for tomorrow’s 56th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The British rider posted a best time of 2:25:563 to pip 2022 victor Erno Kostamo by three tenths of second.
Matt Stevenson of RC Express Racing had a heavy crash at Moorish, bringing out the red flag with 19 minutes to go in the session. Stevenson was conscious when brought to hospital, local media reports.
After the restart came a four-way fight for pole between Todd, Kostamo, Michael Rutter and Peter Hickman.
2024 Senior TT winner Todd set a time of 2:26.245, and then improved to his pole-winning time. Kostamo set a lap time of 2:25.820, faster than his own best time last year and was on provisional pole until Todd struck back.
Macau veteran Rutter, sitting third, returned to the pits to change setup before setting out with just a few minutes remaining for a final attempt.
However, his FHO Racing BMW M1000RR developed a problem, forcing Rutter to slow and pull off the track before the Lisboa Corner. A last-gasp lap from Hickman saw him snatch Rutter’s place on the front row with a 2:26.155.
Tomorrow’s front row, then, is Todd, Kostamo and Hickman.
56th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – Qualifying Result:
1 – Davey Todd – 2.25.563
2 – Erno Kostamo – 2.25.820
3 – Peter Hickman – 2.26.155
4 – Michael Rutter – 2.28.115
5 – Rob Hodson – 2.28.681
6 – Paul Jordan – 2.29.790
7 – Julian Trummer – 2.31.914
8 – Michael Evans – 2.32.641
9 – Craig Neve – 2.33.386
10 – Laurent Hoffmann – 2.34.156
11 – Amalric Blanc – 2.36.195
12 – Marcus Simpson – 2.36.783
13 – Luca Gottardi – 2.37.153
14 – Sam West – 2.37.193
15 – Paul Williams – 2.37.388
16 – Ryan Whitehall – 2.38.338
17 – Matt Stevenson – 2.40.594
18 – Sam Johnson – 2.42.175
19 – Kris Duncan – 2.42.254
20 – Martin Morris – 2.43.301
Photo credit: GCS
Words by Tom McGrenery
