Ashford’s Leon Camier was left disappointed by his performance in qualifying for the latest round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship.

He was out qualified by his teammate at the Moscow Raceway for one of the few times this season that it has happened.

Although Camier will start only two places behind Jules Cluzel on the grid, having not made it through to the final Superpole session, meaning he could only qualify in tenth place.

It was looking good for the FIXI Crescent Suzuki rider as he has posted the second fastest time in Superpole One but after that he struggled to find the pace and utilise his qualifying tyre effectively.

He will now be looking to make a fast start and make up some places to get into the positions that his pace has indicated that he would be in all weekend.

For the first time in several weeks it is not Englishman Tom Sykes on pole position after he crashed out in Superpole Three and will start ninth, David Giugliano took his first pole position on his Aprilia.

Speaking after qualifying a frustrated Camier said: “I was feeling good on the bike in Superpole 1 and was a bit behind Eugene – I was trying to use him as a tow – and the bike was handling really well. When I was behind Eugene I felt really comfortable and it was as though he was holding me up, but on the back-straight I couldn’t quite stay with him.

“I then came in and got a qualifying tyre and did a pretty good time to get through to Superpole 2. In the next session I was trying hard on my second lap on a race tyre, but Melandri was on my racing line and got in my way.

“So I came in and put on another qualifier, but I was so angry with him for messing up my lap that I think I tried too hard with the qualifier and didn’t get the best out of it. I had a bit of chattering, but I was the main reason I didn’t go quicker. I am reasonable happy with the race setting, but around here it is difficult to overtake, so if it is a dry race it will be tough coming from so far back. I will just need to keep the pace and my rhythm up and try to be strong at the end.”