FIM Superbike World Championship Magny-Cours, France October 3, 2008 Provisional Qualifying Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Noriyuki HAGA (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:41.012 2. Troy BAYLISS (Ducati 1098 F08), 1:41.020 3. Carlos CHECA (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:41.130 4. Fonsi NIETO (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:41.513 5. Troy CORSER (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:41.515 6. Roberto ROLFO (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:41.681 7. Lorenzo LANZI (Ducati 1098 RS08), 1:41.783 8. Ruben XAUS (Ducati 1098 RS08), 1:41.885 9. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:41.892 10. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:41.900 11. David CHECA (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:41.936 12. Sebastien GIMBERT (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:41.963, crash 13. Max BIAGGI (Ducati 1098 RS08), 1:42.410 14. Kenan SOFUOGLU (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:42.683 15. Michel FABRIZIO (Ducati 1098 F08), 1:42.704 16. Gregorio LAVILLA (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:42.737 17. Martin BAUER (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:42.848 18. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:43.036 19. Shinichi NAKATOMI (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:43.139 20. Ayrton BADOVINI (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:43.244 21. Regis LACONI (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:44.731 22. Makoto TAMADA (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:44.903 23. Chris WALKER (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:45.064 24. Christian ZAISER (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:45.095 25. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:45.490 26. Jakub SMRZ (Ducati 1098 RS08), 1:45.660 27. Shuhei AOYAMA (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:46.082 28. Ivan SILVA (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:47.045 More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda; Carlos Checa set the third fastest time in this afternoon’s opening World Superbike qualifying session at Magny-Cours in France, as rain interrupted the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team’s preparation for Sunday’s two 13th round races. Noriyuki Haga took provisional pole position as Checa’s team-mates, Kenan Sofuoglu and Martin Bauer, who is replacing the injured Ryuichi Kiyonari, finished in 14th and 17th places respectively. The forecast for Saturday’s second qualifying session and Superpole to determine final grid positions is set to be dry. Carlos Checa P3, 1m41.130s We needed to test some different tyre options today, but there really wasn’t enough time. The conditions are very different to the test we had here last week, but it was still important to set a good time today. It will allow us to work a little more calmly tomorrow, when we still have a lot to do. I’m very pleased we tested here because I knew the track and had some reference points, but tomorrow will hopefully be drier. Kenan Sofuoglu P14, 1m42.683s Although I missed the test last week because of the crash at Vallelunga, I was happy that today I felt physically good for riding again. The doctors have done a great job with my back. I was just sorry for the rain this morning and this afternoon because it didn’t give us a chance to try anything. Hopefully, tomorrow will be dry and we can make some more progress. Martin Bauer P17, 1m42.848s You could say that the only thing I’ve learned so far is that the weather conditions here in France are pretty bad! But actually, I’m really happy with the progress we have been able to make, in spite of the weather. I’m trying to get used to the bike and adapting my riding style, so I guess I’m pretty happy that I’m only 1.8s off Haga’s time today. There’s lots to do tomorrow but lots of places for me to go faster, too. More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: A WET FIRST DAY CUTS THE TRACK ACTION SHORT AT MAGNY-COURS. BAYLISS SECOND IN FIRST QUALIFYING Magny-Cours (France), Friday 3rd October 2008: the Superbike riders were today faced with cold, wet conditions at Magny-Cours that meant they only completed a handful of laps in the first qualifying session. With a track temperature of just 16 degrees, Ducati Xerox factory riders Troy Bayliss and Michel Fabrizio exited in the dry at the start of the afternoon’s session but only had time to make six or seven laps before a persistent rain prevented further exits, thus cutting the session short. Despite the lack of track time, Troy Bayliss and his Ducati F08 recorded the second fastest time of the session while his team-mate Michel Fabrizio concluded the day in fifteenth position. Troy Bayliss 1m41.0s “Well we haven’t had chance to do much work today really. The temperature this morning was just 8 degrees and windy and this afternoon wasn’t a lot better. I went straight out at the start of the qualifying session this afternoon and managed to get a fairly fast lap in before the rain started. The times weren’t fast today of course but my time was good enough for second place so that isn’t bad. We would like to have a dry day tomorrow because it feels like we’ve barely been on track today.” Michel Fabrizio 1m42.7s “The weather has been bad all day and I hope it will pick up tomorrow and Sunday. This morning was a right off and then this afternoon I came in just before the rain started which was a mistake because if I’d continued, I could have fitted in one or two more worthwhile laps before the session came to a premature end and that way I’d have improved on the fifteenth place that I’ve finished with today. Anyway, never mind, I just hope tomorrow morning’s qualifying is dry.” More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: First Superbike qualifying at Magny-Cours interrupted by rain The first World Superbike qualifying session at Magny-Cours lasted just 17 minutes, after which rain lashed the French circuit and no rider ventured out onto the track again. On the damp surface the quickest time went to Vallelunga double winner, Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB), just a fraction ahead of championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox). The provisional front row was completed by Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who tested here last week, and Fonsi Nieto (Alstare), the first Suzuki rider on the timesheets. Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB) headed row 2, along with the Italian pairing of Roberto Rolfo (Honda Althea), on a positive end-of-season run, and Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati RG), who won here in 2005. Tenth quickest time went to Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki), while Max Biaggi concluded the session in thirteenth place, two slots ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox). Times: 1. Haga N. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 1’41.012; 2. Bayliss T. (AUS) Ducati 1098 F08 1’41.020; 3. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1’41.130; 4. Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’41.513; 5. Corser T. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R1 1’41.515; 6. Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1’41.681; 7. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’41.783; 8. Xaus R. (ESP) Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’41.885; 9. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’41.892; 10. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’41.900; 11. Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R1 1’41.936; 12. Gimbert S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1’41.963; 13. Biaggi M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’42.410; 14. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR1000RR 1’42.683; 15. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 F08 1’42.704; 16. Lavilla G. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1’42.737; FIM Supersport World Championship It was an exciting end to Supersport first qualifying as at least seven riders were on their quickest laps after the first split, but in the end the provisional pole went to Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), the only rider to dip below the 1 minute 43 second mark. Rea edged out Yamaha World Supersport’s Broc Parkes by less than two-tenths. Third quickest time went to Dutchman Barry Veneman (RES Software Suzuki), with Frenchman Mattheiu Lagrive (Intermoto Czech Honda) completing the overnight front row. It was a good performance once again by Joan Lascorz (Glaner Motocard.com Honda), the Spaniard in fifth ahead of championship leader Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who crashed on his quick lap. Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport) returned to the action after his Brno crash and subsequent injury, but the Frenchman lapped carefully and ended the session in 26th place. Times: 1. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1’42.849; 2. Parkes B. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R6 1’43.007; 3. Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 1’43.343; 4. Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1’43.390; 5. Lascorz J. (ESP) Honda CBR600RR 1’43.445; 6. Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1’43.601; 7. Van Keymeulen D. (BEL) Suzuki GSX-R600 1’43.710; 8. Nannelli G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1’44.010. Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Xavier Simeon (Suzuki Alstare) continued where he left off at the last round, the Belgian rider setting quickest time in first qualifying for the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup. Simeon was in terrific form, ending the session well over a second quicker than his rivals, headed by Alessandro Polita (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati). Third was championship leader Brendan Roberts (Ducati Xerox Junior Team), while fourth quickest time went to Michele Magnoni (Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni). Domenico Colucci (Ducati Xerox Junior Team) headed row 2 in front of Michele Pirro (Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni), Australian Glen Seaton (Celani Suzuki), while French title contender Maxime Berger (Hannspree IDS Ten Kate Honda) had a difficult day down in 21st position. Times: 1. Simeon X. (BEL) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’54.552; 2. Polita A. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’55.935; 3. Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1’56.574; 4. Magnoni M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1’57.061; 5. Colucci D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’57.477; 6. Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1’57.759; 7. Seaton C. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 1’57.774; 8. Corti C. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1’57.787. European 600 Superstock Dan Linfoot (StoneBaker Yamaha) and Marco Bussolotti (Yamaha Motor Italia Junior Team) had a terrific battle in first qualifying for European 600 Superstock, both riders exchanging fastest laps throughout the session. The British rider took the provisional pole, just two-tenths quicker than his Italian rival, both of them the only ones to dip under 1’59″. The overnight front row also includes Alexander Lowes (O Six Kawasaki) and the championship leader, French youngster Loris Baz (YZF Yamaha Junior Team). Times: 1. Linfoot D. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R6 1’58.719; 2. Bussolotti M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R6 1’58.906; 3. Lowes A. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’59.630; 4. Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R6 2’00.680; 5. Lonbois V. (BEL) Suzuki GSX-R600 2’01.106; 6. Guittet B. (FRA) Triumph 675 2’01.751; 7. Rea G. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R6 2’01.856; 8. Biliotti L. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 2’01.969 More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: Changing conditions throughout the first day of qualifying for Sunday’s 13th-round World Superbike Championship race at Magny Cours in France disrupted proceedings so badly that nobody completed more than nine laps in the afternoon timed session. Qualifying had started dry, but after 10 minutes, the first rain shower fell, causing the field to scurry back to their garages. The rain abated for a while, but it wasn’t long before it started again and this time the showers were much heavier and hail also began to fall. The inclement conditions meant that no rider ventured out again and so the provisional grid was formed from the lap times set at the beginning of the session. Team Suzuki Alstare riders Fonsi Nieto and Yukio Kagayama finished fourth and ninth quickest with Max Neukirchner 10th. Noriyuki Haga topped the standings with Troy Bayliss second and Carlos Checa third. Fonsi Nieto – 4th, 1:41.513: “Conditions this morning in the free practice were half dry and half wet and that is never easy. In the afternoon I managed eight laps before the rain and after that it was not worth going out again because the track was very wet and slippery. I like this track though and I am hoping that it is dry and we have good conditions tomorrow and Sunday.” Yukio Kagayama – 9th, 1:41.892: “The conditions were not very good today and so we were not able to do many laps and get a good set-up – either dry or wet. I only did eight laps this afternoon and then the rain came down and that was that. I hope the weather is better tomorrow and we can find a good set-up.” Max Neukirchner – 10th, 1:41.900: “This morning was not really dry and so I didn’t ride many laps. In the afternoon qualifying, it was dry at first and that’s when we all set our best lap times. But the dry spell only lasted for a short while and I only managed seven laps before the rain fell and disrupted everything. The track was very slippery in the wet so I am hoping that it will be dry tomorrow.” Friday WSB Qualifying: 1 Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:41.012, 2 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1:41.020, 3 Checa (E-Honda) 1:41.130, 4 Fonsi Nieto (E-Suzuki Alstare) 1:41.513, 5 Corser (Aus-Yamaha) 1:41.515, 6 Rolfo (I-Honda) 1:41.681, 7 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 1:41.783, 8 Xaus (E-Ducati) 1:41.885, 9 Yukio Kagayama (J-Suzuki Alstare) 1:41.892, 10 Max Neukirchner (D-Alstare Suzuki) 1:41.900. SUPERSTOCK 1000: Team Alstare Suzuki rider Xavi Simeon mastered the difficult conditions at Magny-Cours today and ended the day fastest of the 41-rider field. His time of 1:54.552, was over a second ahead of his nearest rival Alessandro Polita (Ducati) with Brendan Roberts (Ducati) slotting into third quickest. Xavi Simeon – 1st, 1:54.552: “Today was quite difficult because the conditions were not good. The morning session was half wet and half dry and that always causes problems. Towards the end of qualifying, I was a bit worried that I would get passed by a few riders – like other times this season – so I decided to put in some fast laps and not give anybody a chance. It worked out pretty good and I stayed fastest. I think I have a good set-up for the wet, but we probably need more dry time if we want a good dry set-up. I don’t feel any pressure at all and I’m just going to go out in these last two races and have as much fun as I can.” Friday Superstock 1000 Qualifying: 1 Xavi Simeon (B-Alstare Simeon) 1:54.552, 2 Polita (I-Ducati) 1:55.935, 3 Roberts (Aus-Ducati) 1:56.574, 4 Magnoni (I-Yamaha) 1:57.061, 5 Colossi (I-Ducati) 1:57.477, 6 Pirro (I-Yamaha) 1:57.759. WORLD SUPERSPORT: RES Software Hoegee Suzuki riders Barry Veneman and Didier Van Keymeulen had a productive first day in Magny-Cours and in the rain-interrupted session, Veneman managed third fastest time on the French circuit in the afternoon, while Van Keymeulen scored a provisional seventh place on the starting grid for the 12th round of the World Supersport Championship. Because of the cold and damp conditions it was hard to get in much useful running. The RES Software Hoegee Suzuki team decided not to take any unnecessary risks and did just a few laps. In afternoon qualifying. Veneman started the session well but he had to pit because of the incoming weather. After a rain shower Veneman came out again and he rode his Suzuki GSX- R600K8 onto a provisional front-row start. For Van Keymeulen, the first part of the qualifying session went well but after the short break the Belgian rider increased his pace. He went on to set the fourth fastest time although he eventually fell back a few places to a provisional seventh. Marc Hoegee – Team owner, RES Software Hoegee Suzuki: “The weather was very unpredictable today so this morning we just went out to see if everything worked properly; it didn’t make sense to push too hard. We anticipated the conditions in the afternoon practice well. The track was dry but later on it started to rain a little and the lap times slowed. Then when we started again we were prepared for the conditions. Both riders did a fine job and that makes us optimistic for this weekend.” Barry Veneman: “The practice sessions were pretty tricky today. There were wet places on the track and that was risky, especially when you were not on the ideal line. It was hard for me to find the right rhythm and despite the good result I am not completely satisfied today. I hoped I would be able to have ridden more laps but with the changing conditions this was impossible. I tried to get the maximum out of practice but it was hard to give everything today. The mechanics prepared the bikes well back at the workshops, so all we now have to work on is the bike’s set up.” Didier Van Keymeulen: “This morning we waited to see how the weather would turn out but in the end we didn’t do a lot of running which saved our tyres. In the afternoon I tried to set a good lap time as soon as possible because it seemed it was going to rain. When it did rain a little I went back to the pit box to wait for dry conditions. Then when I came back on the track I found a good rhythm immediately and I managed to set the seventh-fastest time. I have some things to change on the bike for tomorrow so I expect to make another step forward.” More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser: TROY SATISFIED WITH FIFTH ON DAY OF FEW LAPS The changing weather conditions caused havoc at Magny-Cours today and Troy and his rivals were unable to do as many laps as they would’ve liked. In the afternoon qualifying, no rider completed more than nine laps because of the appalling conditions and all the fastest laps were set before the rain fell. The rain did ease for a while, but then became heavy again before the onset of hailstones! Troy’s team mate Noriyuki Haga posted the best lap in timed qualifying this afternoon, with Troy Bayliss (Ducati) second, Carols Checa (Honda) third and Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki) fourth. Troy – 5th, 1:41.515 The morning was a sort of ‘wet practice’ but it wasn’t really wet enough for full wets, nor was it dry enough for slicks. The session was a bit pointless, because although some parts of the track were dry, there were plenty of damp patches around as well. In the afternoon, it started dry and then rain fell after I had done about six laps and that was it for the day. The rain fell heavier and heavier and nobody went out again because the track was very, very slippery. My bike is not that difficult to set up for the wet. In fact it is easier to move to a wet set-up from a dry one, then vice-versa. We did manage to get some useful info today, and hopefully the conditions will be better tomorrow and Sunday – for all of us and all the fans. More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Haga quickest with Corser close behind Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) made another strong start to race weekend, securing provisional pole despite having very little track time at his disposal. The rains that have peppered the build-up to the first day of action arrived again shortly after the start of the first qualifying session, meaning Haga only set seven laps in an hour long period. Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) only posted six laps but was also right in the leading bunch, finishing fifth in the rankings as he started to find a race set-up for Sunday’s two 23-lap contests. Weather conditions are expected to improve as the weekend carries on, with two more qualifying sessions and Superpole coming on Saturday. David Checa (Yamaha GMT94) led the morning untimed session for a time, dropping to 11th in the official rankings in the afternoon, just one place ahead of his team-mate Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha GMT94). Shinichi Nakatomi (Team YZF Yamaha) was 19th from the 28 WSB riders who took part in day one. Noriyuki Haga (1st – 1’41.012 – Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “Not so much track time today, just a few laps but I think I can improve things a little more. The lap time was not so bad but we have to go a bit faster. We had some bad luck with the weather, so I just hope to improve tomorrow, if we have a dry track. Our first impression was not so bad, and I think all we need to do is make some small changes to the set-up.” Troy Corser (5th – 1’41.515 – Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “We only did a few laps today but it was not too bad. I felt there were a few things on the bike that we can improve. To be honest I was not that comfortable on the bike so I was pleasantly surprised with the lap time. We were only half a second off after six laps. I’m not too worried because the track time we have is the same for everyone.” Massimo Meregalli (Team Manager, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “Usually we have good results here and for our bike this circuit is pretty good. On flatter circuits, with good grip and not too many bumps, our bike seems to work best. We are confident for Sunday, for both riders. Troy has the choice of one machine with conventional suspension and one with electronic suspension, but he seems to be using the conventional one most. Overall, for the first day, we’re fine.” More, from a press release issued by Sterilgarda Go Eleven: Max Biaggi and Ruben Xaus have been stopped by the rain once again in the first timed session of the WSBK French round at Magny Cours. The rain, which influenced the morning free practice too, started to fall just few minutes after the qualifying opening. The track was made difficult and dangerous and, as consequence, most of the riders chose to stay inside the pits. Tomorrow a better weather is expected, therefore the provisional ranking will be subjected to several alterations. After the unreal Superbike timed session, the Superstock1000’s riders took to the track. Alex Polita rode a bike in wet-trim by which he recorded the second best time of the session, confirming his wonderful moment once again. MAX BIAGGI | Ducati 1098 RS | 13th provisional time in 1’42.410: “After the first run I was able to ride for 2-3 laps before the rain stopped the qualifying definitely. I’m into the Superpole now, and so it’s all right. The bike tends to rear just out of the slow corners; we’ll try to fix this issue tomorrow when any weather will find us ready to face it”. RUBEN XAUS | Ducati 1098 RS | 8th provisional time in 1’41.885: “When the rain stopped the session I was markedly improving my performance. I had the chance to do just few laps nevertheless I understood that we are on the right way to find the best dry-trim. This morning I worked on the wet-trim and I have reached a good level which will be helpful in case of rain”. ALEX POLITA | Ducati 1098R | 2nd provisional time in 1’55.935: “I did not take any chance today and I have improved my time continuously. If the track will be wet we’ll be ready, although tomorrow I expect that all will be done all over again. In any case I will try to get a top starting position”. More, from a press release issued by Team Pedercini: The first day of the penultimate WSBK round at Magny Cours has been really unusual. During the morning the riders was forced to take the track by the bike in wet-trim due to the bad weather which has come along with the championship once again. So the second attempt was tried in the afternoon, but the rain started to fall just few minutes after the first timed session opening, and all the riders took the way back to the pits. The provisional ranking is the result of just 5-6 laps and it will be subjected to several alterations tomorrow when the weather is expected to be better. AYRTON BADOVINI | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 20th provisional time in 1’43.244: “What can I say? We have not worked today. All will be decided tomorrow when the Superpole will be settled after the second timed session which is going to be faced by us without having had the opportunity to work on the set-up”. VITTORIO IANNUZZO | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 25th provisional time in 1’45.490: “I hoped I could do a good work, on the contrary the rain influenced our day. The second timed session will be a roulette for everyone, so tomorrow I hope to find immediately the best set-up”