FIM Supersport World Championship
Imola, Italy
May 9, 2014
Free Practice Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Kenan SOFUOGLU, Turkey (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:51.744
2. Kevin COGHLAN, UK (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:52.090
3. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:52.147
4. Michael VD MARK, Netherlands (Honda CBR600RR), 1:52.168
5. Jules CLUZEL, France (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:52.292
6. Roberto TAMBURINI, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:52.741
7. Jack KENNEDY, Ireland (Honda CBR600RR), 1:52.768
8. Florian MARINO, France (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:52.805
9. Marco BUSSOLOTTI, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:52.855
10. PJ JACOBSEN, USA (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:52.868
More, from a press release issued by CIA Insurance Honda:
KENNEDY LOOKING GOOD
CIA INSURANCE HONDA’S Jack Kennedy is in good shape taking seventh place in Friday’s second practice session at Imola in Italy at the fourth round of the World Supersport Championship.
Kennedy made a big improvement from the morning session. Jack said: “Today has gone well with lots of laps and track time. I am posting good times on used tyres, with decent steps moving forward. I am looking forward to tomorrow, I think we can make the time up on the front runners.”
Raffaele De Rosa may be racing in his home country but he does not rank Imola as his favourite of tracks. He has concentrated on race set up and is a competitive 12th.
Nacho Calero continues to impress the team with his approach and improvements. In a very competitive field he is 21st and looking to get into the top 20 tomorrow during practice and qualifying, ahead of the race at 1140 local time on Sunday 11th May.
Simon Buckmaster, CIA Insurance Honda Team Manager: “For Jack it’s been a pretty good day, he’s worked hard. I think there is more to come from him and we can improve the bike, he is in a strong position.
“Raffaele is in a similar position. We worked on machine balance and there are plenty of improvements to come.
“Nacho is improving every session but his position remains the same. He needs to make a bigger step now. He is nearly a second quicker in the afternoon but so is everyone else. He is closer to the pack than he was and we will continue to work with him as a team – at what is one of his preferred circuits.”
More, from a press release issued by Core PTR Honda:
FILM GETTING TO GRIPS WITH IMOLA
CORE’ PTR HONDA’S Ratthapark Wilairot made an impressive debut on his first visit to Imola in Italy by posting the 18th fastest time in Friday practice ahead of the fourth round of the World Supersport Championship on Sunday.
Film said: “I am getting to grips with the circuit, it is my first time here. It is a very dramatic race track with lots of elevation changes and challenging sections, but I like it. I know my way around now, so tomorrow I aim to improve my position as I can make changes with my bike and riding to suit.”
The race starts at 1140 local time on Sunday 11th May.
Simon Buckmaster, Core’ PTR Honda Team Manager: “It is Film’s first time here and he faces the challenge to adapt to a Supersport bike from a Moto2 bike last weekend. He has improved by nearly two-seconds from first to second session, which is good. We will go through what he has learnt about the track and the data with him tonight and expect a significant improvement tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Alex Baldolini’s publicist:
Baldolini Happy With Progress Made On Imola WSS Return
Alex Baldolini made a welcome return to the World Championship paddock aboard his private MV Agusta at Imola today, claiming an encouraging 14th position after the completion of the opening two free practice sessions.
Riding for the newly formed ATK Racing, it was the first time in 2014 that Baldolini had competed against the World Supersport regulars and the first time for him to check on the possible performance levels with his new team.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying session, he declared himself both happy with the bike and the progress that had been made on track today.
Alex Baldolini – ATK Racing MV Agusta: “I’m happy very happy with this first day. We improved step by step during the two practices and considering the bike is new for me I am satisfied with the lap time that we achieved. I have only ridden the bike for 90 minutes under competitive conditions compared to the other riders who have already done four races this year. We still have some teething problems, which is to be expected but the whole team is working very hard and I am very happy with all of their work. I will try some more things in the final free practice in the morning and then push to qualify as best as we can.”