Friday’s World Supersport Qualifying Results From Imola: 1. Sebastien CHARPENTIER, Honda, 1:51.788 2. Kevin CURTAIN, Yamaha, 1:53.379 3. Gianluca NANNELLI, Ducati, 1:53.704 4. Michel FABRIZIO, Honda, 1:53.878 5. Broc PARKES, Yamaha, 1:54.136 6. Alessio CORRADI, Ducati, 1:54.193 7. Stephane CHAMBON, Honda, 1:54.239 8. Javier FORES, Suzuki,, 1:54.397 9. Fabien FORET, Honda, 1:54.818 10. Johan STIGEFELT, Honda, 1:54.827 More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda: CHARPENTIER GETS LOST, THEN FINDS A FLYER A technical problem left Winston Ten Kate Honda’s Sébastien Charpentier lost at the back of the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit at Imola, Italy during this afternoon’s opening qualifying session for the eleventh round World Supersport championship event. But, on finally returning to his box, the Frenchman set a blistering pace to take provisional pole position for Sunday’s 21-lap race. Charpentier’s team-mate, Katsuaki Fujiwara, did not ride this afternoon following an early crash during free practice this morning. The Japanese rider opted to sit out the 45-minute session, pending a medical assessment later today. Ronald ten Kate team manager: “That was a very hectic day for our Supersport team. The quick release system on a fuel line on Sébastien’s main bike broke early in the session and, because of Imola’s strange characteristics, it took 15-20 minutes for him to get back to the box, in spite of two of the team searching for him on scooters. It didn’t leave us many options so he jumped on the spare bike for a couple of laps and was immediately fast. We made a small change towards the end of the session and he put in an amazing lap. For tomorrow, we’ll be looking to improve his time and hopefully have Kats back in the box with us. His crash was one of those things but we’ve looked at the data and he wasn’t going especially fast. He came across a group of slower riders and tried to pass but one of them changed his line without warning. The good news is that nothing is broken but we’ll let him have some rest to get over today and see how he is tomorrow.” Sébastien Charpentier fastest, 1m51.788s “I stopped early in the session on the back of the circuit in the woods but I didn’t know how to get back. I thought I’d end up missing the whole session but, eventually, we got the bike and me on the back of a truck and managed to get to the box. After that, everything was fine the track and grip were good and there wasn’t much traffic. But I still only managed to do a total of seven laps so I’m very happy with the time. I like the set up we have already but, for sure, it’s possible to go even faster tomorrow. My good friend Frederic Bolley was here today he has a Supermoto event in Venice this weekend, but it was great to see him.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Curtain second in first qualifying 30/9/2005 Yamaha Motor Germany star Kevin Curtain was in fine form in Imola today, posting the second fastest time in the opening qualifying session for Sunday’s penultimate round of the Supersport World Championship. The Imola Lap record holder, who was fastest in the wet morning practice session, posted a time of 1:53.379 to hold the provisional pole position until the dying moments of the 45 minute session – only to be eclipsed by 2005 world champion Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) just before the chequered flag came out. Despite this, the experienced Australian was happy with his day’s work, having finished ahead of all his rivals for second place in the championship. Team-mate Broc Parkes ended the day fifth fastest, within a second of Curtain’s time around the classic Italian Formula One circuit. The young Australian, who last week signed an extension to his contract with Yamaha Motor Germany, completed 13 laps with a best of 1:54.136. Joining Charpentier and Curtain on the provisional front row are local riders Gianluca Nannelli (Ducati) and Michel Fabrizio (Honda). Final qualifying for Sunday’s race takes place tomorrow afternoon. Kevin Curtain “The same old story really, with us setting the target and Charpentier coming out to set a faster lap right at the end. Things are generally going well, I sat out most of the morning session because the track was so wet and slippery so that cost us some track time. I’m confident for the race. With the championship already decided our race isn’t with Charpentier, it’s Foret and Fujiwara we need to look out for.” Broc Parkes “A decent start. The track was so slippery this morning but I went out to get as much information as possible. Other than Charpentier the times are quite close and hopefully it will be dry tomorrow so that we can push for the front row.”