BRITISH SUPERBIKE star Stuart Easton and the Hydrex Honda team are on provisional pole for the Macau Grand Prix this weekend, taking a time just ahead of Macau legend Michael Rutter on the Team of Paris AXA Racing Kawasaki.
Easton, who won the race last year, was comfortably ahead of his Hydrex team-mate John McGuinness who ended the session eighth quickest.
Fellow roads specialists on the PBM Kawasakis Ian Hutchinson and Conor Cummins finished third and fourth respectively.
Debutee Simon Andrews was 19th fastest.
Easton said: "It's really good to be back at Macau, especially running with the number one plate. I've had a fantastic year in BSB with the SMR Hydrex team and it's great to be coming here on the bike I've helped develop and ridden all season. I've now had a year working with the team and the support I get is second to none so I'm feeling really good and I'm sure I can deliver the Macau result that the team deserves."
Macau 43rd Motorcycle Grand Prix, qualifying one result:
1. Stuart Easton (Hydrex IGT Honda) 2m:25.476s
2. Michael Rutter (Team of Paris AXA Racing) +1.636s
3. Ian Hutchinson (PBM Kawasaki WSB) +2.098s
4. Conor Cummins (PBM Kawasaki WSB) +2.269s
5. Rico Penzkofer (BMW Macau Racing Team) +3.221s
Macau 43rd Motorcycle Grand Prix, free practice one result:
1. Michael Rutter (Team of Paris AXA Racing) 2m:31.459s
2. Thomas Hinterreiter (Yamaha Austria Racing Team) +0.480s
3. Rico Penzkofer (BMW Macau Racing Team) +0.600s
4. Mike Barnes (PBM Kawasaki WSB) +2.037s
5. Ian Hutchinson (PBM Kawasaki WSB) +2.806s
