eni FIM Superbike World Championship

Assen TT Circuit, Netherlands

April 18, 2015

Qualifying Results (all on Pirelli tires):

Superpole One Results (top two advance to Superpole Two):

1. Sylvain GUINTOLI, France (Honda CBR1000RR SP), 1:36.220

2. Leandro MERCADO, Argentina (Ducati Panigale R), 1:36.340

3. Matteo BAIOCCO, Italy (Ducati Panigale R), 1:36.392

4. Ayrton BADOVINI, Italy (BMW S1000RR), 1:36.711

5. Roman RAMOS, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:36.847

6. David SALOM, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:37.033

7. Niccolo CANEPA, Italy (EBR 1190 RX), 1:37.273

8. Randy DE PUNIET, France (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:37.654

9. Christophe PONSSON, France (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:38.326

10. Santiago BARRAGÁN, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:38.977

Superpole Two Results:

1. Tom SYKES, UK (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:34.789

2. Jonathan REA, UK (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:34.920

3. Leon HASLAM, UK (Aprilia RSV4 RF), 1:35.336

4. Chaz DAVIES, UK (Ducati Panigale R), 1:35.425

5. Michael VD MARK, Netherlands (Honda CBR1000RR SP), 1:35.619

6. Alex LOWES, UK (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:35.722

7. Xavier FORES, Spain (Ducati Panigale R), 1:35.786

8. Jordi TORRES, Spain (Aprilia RSV4 RF), 1:35.855

9. Sylvain GUINTOLI, France (Honda CBR1000RR SP), 1:36.118

10. Leandro MERCADO, Argentina (Ducati Panigale R), 1:36.394

11. Leon CAMIER, UK (MV Agusta F4), 1:36.402

12. Nico TEROL, Spain (Ducati Panigale R), 1:36.555

Combined Qualifying Results:

1. Tom SYKES, UK (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:34.789

2. Jonathan REA, UK (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:34.920

3. Leon HASLAM, UK (Aprilia RSV4 RF), 1:35.336

4. Chaz DAVIES, UK (Ducati Panigale R), 1:35.425

5. Michael VD MARK, Netherlands (Honda CBR1000RR SP), 1:35.619

6. Alex LOWES, UK (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:35.722

7. Xavier FORES, Spain (Ducati Panigale R), 1:35.786

8. Jordi TORRES, Spain (Aprilia RSV4 RF), 1:35.855

9. Sylvain GUINTOLI, France (Honda CBR1000RR SP), 1:36.118

10. Leandro MERCADO, Argentina (Ducati Panigale R), 1:36.394

11. Leon CAMIER, UK (MV Agusta F4), 1:36.402

12. Nico TEROL, Spain (Ducati Panigale R), 1:36.555

13. Matteo BAIOCCO, Italy (Ducati Panigale R), 1:36.392

14. Ayrton BADOVINI, Italy (BMW S1000RR), 1:36.711

15. Roman RAMOS, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:36.847

16. David SALOM, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:37.033

17. Niccolo CANEPA, Italy (EBR 1190 RX), 1:37.273

18. Randy DE PUNIET, France (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:37.654

19. Christophe PONSSON, France (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:38.326

20. Santiago BARRAGÁN, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:38.977

21. Javier ALVIZ, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:40.334

22. Larry PEGRAM, USA (EBR 1190 RX), 1:40.699

23. Gabor Rizmayer, Hungary (BMW S1000RR), 1:41.543

24. Imre TOTH, Hungary (BMW S1000RR), 1:41.958

More, from a press release issued by Dorna WSBK Press Office:

Sykes claims his first Tissot-Superpole of the season

Rea and Haslam complete the first row for tomorrow’s two WorldSBK races

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) has wonhis first Tissot-Superpole of the season after a tense final 15-minute shoot-out in Assen. The 4.542km Cathedral of Speed once again produced an exciting climax to the WorldSBK qualifying session in which the top-8 riders on the grid for tomorrow’s two 21 lap races were covered by a second. Today’s Pole Position is the 25th of Tom’s career, his first since Magny-Cours 2014. Joining Sykes on the front row will be his team mate Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils).

Row two was decided in the final minute as Chaz Davies valiant effort to overhaul Sykes failed after a mistake at the exit of Turn 9, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team rider will start fourth with local hero Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), who scored his maiden podium in WorldSBK last year, fifth and sixth respectively.

On the third row of the grid Xavi Fores (Aruba.it Racing Ducati SBK Team) will line up alongside Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) and Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) in what was the most closely fought Tissot-Superpole of the season so far.

Earlier Guintoli and Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing Ducati) were the two riders to progress from Superpole 1, with the Argentine claiming tenth place ahead of Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Nico Terol (Althea Racing Ducati).

Tom Sykes #66 – Kawasaki Racing Team

Combined Free Practice 1 and 2 – 1st

Twitter: @TheRealTomSykes

Facebook page: Tom-Sykes-66

“We are definitely getting there now. It feels that this pole has been a long time coming but I am very happy. In Aragon we had a small indication that the Ninja ZX-10R and myself are starting to work as one package again. I know we can still improve the Ninja underneath me but as long as we can keep working in this direction, I am happy. A lot of credit has to go to my crew chief Marcel and the boys in the garage. We have had the mechanics working hard and making a lot of changes. We have definitely got the speed and now I want that speed for 20 more laps here.”

Jonathan Rea #65 – Kawasaki Racing Team

Combined Free Practice 1 and 2 – 2nd

Twitter: @jonathanrea

Instagram: @jonathan_rea

Facebook: JonathanReaOfficial

“I am happy to be on the front row because it is important here at Assen and also I have a strong race pace so it gives me a chance to be in the front at least. My lap was a good one but I made some small mistakes. Tom did a good job and that is an impressive lap time with the 2015 regulations in place. I really did want the pole position today because when I felt the qualifying tyre on the out lap, I though I could give it a go. I just overcooked it in T1 and it upset the next two corners. When I saw the lap time I knew we could be competitive for the front row but not for pole position.”

Michael van der Mark #60 – Pata Honda

Tissot-Superpole – 5th

Twitter: @mickeyvdmark

Instagram: michaelvdmark

Facebook: michael.vandermark.3

“Today was really good and we tried a few little things in set-up this morning, trying to solve a couple of problems we had yesterday. We found a good solution and I was pretty quick in FP3 and then even faster in FP4. We were quite consistent, too, so I was very happy with that. In final qualifying of Superpole I think my lap could have been a little faster but I’m quite happy with P5. To be on the second row for my home round is a good position to start. Our race pace is OK, although we still need to find a couple of tenths, but I’m quite confident for the races tomorrow.”

More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:

Assured KRT 1-2 As Sykes Pips Rea To Win Superpole

Tom Sykes secured his first pole position start of the 2015 season with a best lap of 1’34.789 during Superpole 2 at Assen, heading of his own team-mate Jonathan Rea by 0.131 seconds. It was Sykes’ 25th career Superpole success and meant that Kawasaki riders have taken three of the four pole positions available in the season so far.

Sykes, already the third most successful WSB rider in terms of career pole positions, moved to within one Superpole win of the second place rider in the record books, Troy Bayliss, with his fastest pre-race lap at Assen.

Always a fan of the fast and flowing nature of the majority of the Assen circuit’s corners, Sykes pushed on in confident fashion with a qualifying tyre to earn the best starting place for Sunday’s two 21-lap races.

Rea, who has only not been on the front row once this season, and who has two poles to his credit since he joined Kawasaki in the winter months, pushed on to lead for a time at the 4.542km circuit until Sykes swept in to make it a 1-2 for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

Due to the tight nature of the first few corners at Assen, front row starts were an important part of each riders’ pre-race plan, and both got their wish in readiness for Sunday’s races.

With weather conditions cool in the mornings and warming up in the afternoons, each KRT Rider has already had good experience of the track in the conditions they expect to find it in on raceday. Race one will take place at 10.30 and race two at 13.10 on Sunday, in what are hoped to be dry conditions yet again.

Tom Sykes: “We are definitely getting there now. It feels that this pole has been a long time coming but I am very happy. In Aragon we had a small indication that the Ninja ZX-10R and myself are starting to work as one package again. In the first two rounds the bike and myself were sometimes working in two different directions, but we are both working in the same direction now. I know we can still improve the Ninja underneath me but as long as we can keep working in this direction, I am happy. A lot of credit has to go to my crew chief Marcel and the boys in the garage. We have had the mechanics working hard and making a lot of changes. We have definitely got the speed and now I want that speed for 20 more laps here.”

Jonathan Rea: I am happy to be on the front row because it is important here at Assen and also I have a strong race pace so it gives me a chance to be in the front at least. My lap was a good one but I made some small mistakes. Tom did a good job and that is an impressive lap time with the 2015 regulations in place. I really did want the pole position today because when I felt the qualifying tyre on the out lap, I though I could give it a go. I just overcooked it in T1 and it upset the next two corners. When I saw the lap time I knew we could be competitive for the front row but not for pole position.”

David Salom (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) qualified for Superpole 1 but could not progress into Superpole 2, and now starts the races from 16th place on the grid, on the front of the sixth row.

More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) fourth in today’s Superpole at Assen; third row for Forés

Assen (The Netherlands), Saturday 18 April 2015 – a hard-fought Superpole at the TT Circuit of Assen today saw the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team qualify for tomorrow’s Superbike races in fourth (Chaz Davies) and seventh (Javier Forés) position.

Davies, after a successful Friday which saw him place at the top of the timesheets after the first two timed practice sessions, continued working with his technicians this morning to optimise the set-up of his Panigale R. Dealing with cold, dry track conditions (8°C), none of the Superbike riders were able to improve on Chaz’s best time set yesterday (1’35.748), meaning that the Welshman qualified in overall first position for the afternoon’s Superpole 2. Forés, after a more difficult day yesterday, was able to improve on both his time and position this morning. The aggregated practice results positioned the Spanish rider ninth, meaning that he too gained entry to Superpole 2 thanks to a best time of 1’36.558.

Superpole 2: having recorded a 1’35.855 on the race tyre, Chaz was straight back on track with the qualifying solution. A problem while changing down from third to second gear through the third sector caused the Welshman to lose precious tenths, but his best time of 1’35.425 secured him a place on the second row, in fourth position, for tomorrow’s two races. Javier, taking part in the Superpole for only the second time this season, completed a solid lap in 1’35.786, to take final seventh place. He will therefore line up on the third row of the grid tomorrow.

Quotes after the day’s sessions:

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #7) – 4th (1’35.425)

“In Superpole I had a problem with the blipper system during my fast lap and the gear didn’t engage properly. I lost three or four tenths there as a result which cost me a place on the front row I think. For the rest, we made a step forward this morning but I feel that we’re still struggling when it comes to keeping the bike flat when changing direction. As can sometimes happen when we improve one thing, as we did this morning, we find that we take away from another area so we are still looking for the right compromise. We’ll see what we can do tomorrow in warm-up but it won’t be easy considering the cold conditions early in the morning.”

Javier Forés (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #112) – 7th (1’35.786)

“I’m pleased today, and more comfortable with the bike. This morning we worked a lot with the used tyre to find a good setting for tomorrow’s races and we were able to improve our pace, I think that we’re more in line with the faster riders. In Superpole I was able to make better use of the qualifier although I would have liked to do a little more. Anyway, seventh isn’t a bad starting position, considering how we were doing yesterday. So I hope I can make a strong start, on the outside heading into turn 1, and complete two good races.”

More, from a press release issued by Althea Racing:

Althea Racing Assen Superpole

Assen (The Netherlands) – 18 April 2015

Only one week after the Spanish round at Motorland de Aragon, the Superbikes are back on track this weekend at the TT Circuit of Assen, in the Netherlands, for round 4 of the 2015 season.

After Friday’s qualifying in which the team worked hard to increase riders’ feeling with the bike and the track, which in these cold temperatures causes some stability issues, in today’s Superpole Nico Terol and Matteo Baiocco were unable to find the right solutions to yesterday’s problems and will line up on tomorrow’s grid in 12th (Nico) and 13th (Matteo) position.

Nico Terol: “This morning we made some tests to decide which strategy to use and by the end of qualifying I had found good feeling with the bike. Unfortunately I was then lacking that feeling in the free practice and was unable to make the most of the qualifying tyre in Superpole. I’m angry with myself because it’s not going as I would like, I feel frustrated with the fact I can’t bring out what I have inside because I know I’m capable of better results. Now I must concentrate on working hard, keeping calm and learning from these errors in order to prepare for tomorrow’s races and make the most of warm-up in order to be able to complete two good races.”

Matteo Baiocco: “I just missed out on entry to Superpole 2 and clearly have more to give after having finally found the right balance this morning. Guintoli managed to do a third lap with the qualifier which was incredible and he knocked me out of the top two by just a few thousandths of a second. Anyway, I’m pleased with what we were able to show during the few laps made in the Superpole and I’m feeling positive ahead of tomorrow’s races.”

Genesio Bevilacqua: “We’re still having some trouble finding the right balance between the potential of the bike and the riders, but the guys are working really hard and it’s not easy because we have strong rivals who have a lot more experience than both Terol and Baiocco in this hard-fought championship. We trust in their abilities and believe that the results that the Team and riders deserve will soon come.”

More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

FIRST ROW FOR LEON HASLAM IN THE ASSEN SUPERPOLE AND BEST TIME IN RACE CONFIGURATION

EIGHTH FOR JORDI TORRES, LOOKING FOR THE EXPERIENCE HE NEEDS TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE QUALIFIER TYRE

POLE FOR LORENZO SAVADORI IN THE SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP

Assen (Holland), 18 April 2015 – The Dutch Saturday for Team Aprilia Racing – Red Devils started off well with Leon Haslam’s first place time in the third practice session held this morning. The English rider was fast despite the low temperatures, demonstrating that the path the mechanics have been following on the RSV4 RF throughout the weekend with the entire team is the right one.

His race pace is also good, although Leon still wants to improve on following the ideal line for several consecutive laps. This is an idea where Haslam has a clear idea, since he has already identified the sectors where he needs to make changes in order to have a uniform feeling throughout the track on his Aprilia.

In Superpole, as demonstration of the speed the English-Italian duo has reached, Haslam was the quickest on a race tyre. Back in the garage with the qualifier tyre mounted Leon pushed to the limit, putting the third best time on the sheets in the end, which earns him a spot on the front row for the races tomorrow.

Leon Haslam: “As for the flying lap on a race tyre we are quite fast as we demonstrated even in Superpole, but in terms of consistency we still have some work to do in order to be able to easily repeat our performance. We are definitely making progress. Ironically, the qualifier tyre doesn’t help us so in the end third place was a pleasant surprise. Just like at Aragon we are expecting a difficult mission, but considering how close we were able to get in Race 2 I think we will be able to do well here tomorrow.”

Spanish rookie Jordi Torres is still lacking the right experience to be able to take full advantage of the particular rear Pirelli qualifier tyre (exclusive to Superbike) on his RSV4. The eighth best time he took in Superpole does not fully satisfy Jordi, who on the other hand is very positive about the improvement he demonstrated today. The fourth best time in FP3 and fifth in FP4 are encouraging in view of tomorrow’s races, especially if Jordi and his team can manage to shave off a few more tenths.

Jordi Torres: “Yesterday we improved quite a bit, but today we took a definite step forward. I’m still lacking a few tenths on my race pace and here at Assen a good feeling with the front end is important, so there is still room for improvement in that area. In Superpole I was lacking experience. I still am unable to take 100% advantage of the soft tyre. I really need to change my style because with so much grip the bike reacts differently. After the first lap where I was trying to figure out how to use the qualifier tyre I tried to push hard in order to get another fast time on the boards, but I didn’t have any more grip toward the end. Anyway what counts are the races tomorrow.”

Lorenzo Savadori, who rides the Team Nuova M2 Racing Aprilia RSV4 RF on Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, will start in front of the rest tomorrow after taking pole position in the qualifiers.

More, from a press release issued by Pata Honda:

Second row for van der Mark at home in Assen

Michael van der Mark will start tomorrow’s two fourth-round World Superbike races from the second row of the grid after setting the fifth-fastest time in today’s Superpole sessions at Assen in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Pata Honda rider, riding in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in his rookie World Superbike year, fired his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP around the 4.542km Assen circuit in a time of 1m35.619s, 0.8s off the pole position time of British rider Tom Sykes.

Van der Mark, 22, has impressed throughout practice and qualifying in his Assen World Superbike debut, finishing no lower than fifth in any of the four sessions heading into Superpole, and he is looking forward to tomorrow’s races.

His Pata Honda team-mate, Sylvain Guintoli, bounced back from a difficult morning to top Superpole 1 and progress into the final Superpole 2 shoot-out to determine grid positions for the two 21-lap races.

The 32-year-old French rider was able to coax each of his two Pirelli qualifiers into three laps of the Assen circuit, setting his best times on the third ‘Q’ lap in both Superpole sessions, eventually qualifying on the third row.

Michael van der Mark – P5, 1m35.619s

Today was really good and we tried a few little things in set-up this morning, trying to solve a couple of problems we had yesterday. We found a good solution and I was pretty quick in FP3 and then even faster in FP4. We were quite consistent, too, so I was very happy with that. In final qualifying of Superpole I think my lap could have been a little faster but I’m quite happy with P5. To be on the second row for my home round is a good position to start. Our race pace is OK, although we still need to find a couple of tenths, but I’m quite confident for the races tomorrow.

Sylvain Guintoli – P9, 1m36.118s

Superpole actually went better than we thought it would because, before that, I wasn’t feeling that confident. We are still working on trying to adapt the bike to my riding style and, of course, I’m trying to adapt my riding style to the bike. I didn’t feel that good after FP4, so it’s been a little up and down this weekend. On the qualifier in Superpole 1 I did one fast lap, one cool-down lap and then had time to do another fast one. And it was the same in Superpole 2 – going faster on the second lap with the qualifier – because I’m still not quite confident at first with the extra grip. It’s been a bit of a roller coaster, but race day is race day and I’ve always been more of a race person than a practice person so hopefully we can improve in the two races.

Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator

In the morning, we made some improvements to Sylvain’s CBR and things were looking better than yesterday. But then in FP4 we got stuck and went in the wrong direction, so we changed it back again for Superpole this afternoon. That was a good step and he was able to get to Superpole 2 and, on very his last lap he overshot a corner in sector three, otherwise he could have been fifth or sixth on the grid. As it is, he’s ninth but after some difficult times yesterday and today, things are now looking better for the races. Michael had no big problems, and in the end he put his CBR on the second row, and we’re all quite happy with that. It may be hard for him to run for the podium tomorrow, but it’s not impossible. He needs to find a little bit more pace but we know he’s a racer and that in the ra ces, when the laps are going, he can find that.

More, from a press release issued by Voltcom Crescent Suzuki:

Stunning second row start for Lowes and Voltcom Crescent Suzuki at Assen

Voltcom Crescent Suzuki’s Alex Lowes stormed to sixth in the World Superbike Championship’s Superpole qualifying today at the TT Circuit in Assen.

Battling hard to overcome the electronics issues that have been plaguing the team’s development for the past two rounds, Lowes’ consistent progression and outright commitment sees him line his Yoshimura-powered GSX-R up on the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s two races at the iconic Dutch track after setting a 1’35.772 on his qualifying run this afternoon.

Detailed feedback and realistic expectations allowed the British racer to demonstrate his skills, pushing the GSX-R above and beyond initial aspirations. Circulating at a steady pace to allow system evaluations for the majority of the morning, Lowes secured his place in Superpole 2 with a 1’36.280 on his final timed revolution of free practice three before continuing the analysis at midday.

Randy de Puniet compounded his frustrating weekend at the Drenthe track falling foul of both tyre and electronic issues throughout the day’s three sessions. The Frenchman’s learning curve with both the Suzuki Superbike and Pirelli rubber proved to be steeper than originally anticipated, concluding the opening Superpole session in eighth and placing him 18th on tomorrow’s grid.

Kawasaki dominated the proceedings at a cold but sun-drenched Assen circuit as Tom Sykes beat teammate Jonathan Rea to Superpole glory with both riders setting pre-1’35 lap times.

The final calculations and preparations are now underway for Voltcom Crescent Suzuki ahead of Sunday’s two 21 lap races. Morning warm-up begins at 08:40hrs local time (07:40BST) with the first wheels turned in anger at 10:30hrs (09:30BST) and the second WSBK outing scheduled for 13:10hrs (12:10BST).

Alex Lowes:

“We still have a way to go to get the GSX-R to where we want it to be, and for me to be able to ride it with full confidence, but we have made steps forward so it’s been a positive day. The lads are all working hard and time is against us a little bit, but we will do what we can tomorrow and keep pushing forward.”

Randy de Puniet:

“It was not a good day for me, as we haven’t managed to find the solution I was looking for with the engine brake so we struggled in all of today’s sessions. I also suffered with the tyre grip, almost high-siding twice because of this and with vibration on the qualifier in Superpole, so we are 18th on the grid. This is not where I want to be and it is a difficult weekend coming straight after Aragon. I really hope for a good race tomorrow but in this condition I’m not sure where it is possible to finish.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“The challenges faced by the team here in Assen, in terms of getting the bike running well with the new Magneti Marelli ECU, have not reduced. A full day spent on the test bench this week in Holland (thanks to Hoegee Performance for the kind use of their facility) showed very positive progress but did not relate well to the track. We are finding many new problems, hidden software issues and strategies that work in simulation but the bike is not responding in the same way on the track.

“Despite this, progress is being made. Alex has probably out-performed the bike to be honest, and has done an incredible job to qualify on the second row. There have been numerous frustrations over the weekend and we have not been able to string consistent laps together as the top guys have. With that in mind, we hope to make further progress on the settings tonight and if Alex can finish two races tomorrow and score good points we will all be happy.”

“Randy, with less experience of the bike, has suffered the same problems but with an even bigger effect on his potential. We are doing everything we can to improve the situation, but simply copying the settings of Alex is not necessarily going to produce the results – we have to understand more what Randy needs and try our best to make the system react in a better way.”

More, from a press release issued by Team Hero EBR:

Round Four – Assen, the Netherlands, 17-19th April 2015

Qualifying and Superpole – 18th April

Conditions: Dry

CANEPA 17th AFTER SUPERPOLE QUALIFYING SESSION AT ASSEN

Niccolò Canepa took his Hero EBR 1190RX machine to 17th place on the grid after Superpole at Assen and he will now start from the sixth row for Sunday’s two FIM Superbike World Championship races. He set a 1’37.273 best lap in Superpole 1.

Having suffered with a fever early in the weekend Canepa is now well on the road to recovery and it showed in his performance. He is still looking for a final race set-up before the two 21-lap WSB events on Sunday, to be held at the 4.542km long circuit in the Netherlands.

Team rider/manager Larry Pegram could not learn the finer details of the Assen layout in time to make the Superpole cut and he now starts from 22nd place on the grid after regular qualifying.

Pegram has found the Assen circuit much changed form the one he raced on many years ago but has made real and consistent improvements in his lap times since the first practice session on Friday.

The Assen circuit has been dry for the riders and teams but has also provided windy conditions on day one and very cold track conditions on day two. Official track temperatures were only 8°C in the final timed practice session this morning before Superpole, rising to only 26°C in Superpole itself.

Larry Pegram

“I keep improving my lap time but I am just limited in my ability to learn circuits. I do not learn tracks that quickly and it is definitely making me suffer here. The bike was good, the guys have done a good job, I go faster every time I go out on it, but it just seems like I need a couple of extra practices. Tomorrow in the first race hopefully I can get faster, so that in the second race I can get better. Niccolò has been sick all weekend and it definitely affected him on the first day. Now he is starting to come back around. He did a really good job in Superpole, almost three seconds quicker than last year. Sometimes we get greedy with him because we want him to do even better but we do not realise how much improvement he has made over last year’s times. He is doing a good job.”

Niccolò Canepa

“We are losing time in the long corners because I cannot keep the line and I run wide. We have improved a lot from yesterday and we intend to fix it for tomorrow. From this morning to this afternoon we have also made things better and I did my best time with a race tyre. I think that is pretty good for tomorrow. We still have to make another step in the set-up for the races but if we make it I think I can arrive in the points. That is our target.”