“That’s by far the best session we’ve had this weekend. Fourth on the grid is not a disaster and if I get a good start I should be okay, though I’d have liked to be on the front row of course.

My second qualifying lap was feeling pretty good but the left side of the tyre went off a little bit through the last section and the back of the bike was moving a lot through those last couple of corners – but I held on and was able to get on the second row which is okay.

It’s been a big challenge with so little dry track time this weekend for all the teams, tyre technicians, riders – everybody. On race tyres we definitely looked pretty competitive this afternoon so I really hope tomorrow we can have a good result – but I know hoping won’t do it on its own.

We’ve got to get back into the garage, work on the machine and keep improving. Hopefully the weather will stay clear and we can put on a good show tomorrow for these die-hard fans who’ve been braving the cold. I’m ready to put up a fight.”