M2: Portuguese GP: Interwetten Moriwaki qualifying report

Again 12th starting position for Luthi The Grand Prix of Portugal Tom Luthi will have to attack from 12th position on the grid tomorrow as the official qualifying was cancelled for all three classes today in Estoril, because the rain got heavier ...

Again 12th starting position for Luthi

The Grand Prix of Portugal Tom Luthi will have to attack from 12th position on the grid tomorrow as the official qualifying was cancelled for all three classes today in Estoril, because the rain got heavier in the afternoon. The starting position was decided regarding to the combined times of all three free practice sessions from yesterday and today. As Luthi could not improve his lap time, because of a crash in the morning practice session, he will start the race from 12th position. The Swiss was not able to ride more laps after his crash, as the engine was broken. The 24 year old likes to ride in the wet and he is confident that, if the race is in the rain, to improve his position.

Tom Luthi, 12 - 1'36.212:
"I will start from 12th tomorrow. I am sure I could have started further in front, as we were strong in the rain today. Then I had a crash with a highsider, which was heavy and the engine broke because of that. There was a hole in the engine and I was not able to ride out again. Then we prepared everything for the qualifying and the session was cancelled. The best lap time is the one from yesterday now, when I did not try the slick tyres and could not improve. This is a pity, but we learnt from that for the next time."

Terrell Thien, Team Manager:
"The result is not the best for Tom. In the wet he would have been faster, I am sure. But now he has to start from 12th position. I am sure it will be okay as Tom is strong in the wet. He will be able to improve tomorrow if it is wet again."