Smrz: 100 percent ready to fight
Jakub Smrz says he's "ready to fight" for the Miller Park victory after claiming a surprise pole position on Sunday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Czech put in a late dash on board his Ducati 1098R to beat reigning World Champion Carlos Checa to the coveted grid slot by just under two-tenths of a second.
It was Smrz's second pole position of his career, the first having come back in 2009 at Misano. And now he's hoping it will result in his maiden World Superbike victory.
"I'm really happy to win Superpole here after a good performance throughout practice," said the Effenbert Liberty rider.
"There isn't much to say, because the races are later, but we are ready and the bike is perfect.
"It's incredible that I could dominate in most of practices and win Superpole with race tyres, but it is the races that are important.
"We are 100 percent ready to fight for win after all the bad luck in races this year."
Smrz, though, faces stiff competition from Checa as the Althea Ducati rider is chasing his fifth victory in nine starts at the Miller Motorsport Park.
"I've always felt at ease at this track, right from the first year that we raced here," said Checa.
"I have a great feeling with this track and today we were able to do good work.
"I thought I'd taken pole to be honest but Jakub was faster than me today. We're happy to be able to start from the front row of course and I heard that tomorrow should be sunnier so I hope that helps us to make two great races."
