Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Chili fastest as crash halts qualifying

Frankie Chili took provisional pole at the Autodromo Santa Monica in qualifying for Sunday’s World Superbike races in tough conditions.

Chili’s best lap came while Giovanni Bussei’s bike was laying in the track, although Chili is understood to have passed the Variante Arena before Bussei actually crashed there. Chili emphasised his point by going even faster on his very last lap of the session, recording a time of 1:35.058.

Steve Martin remained in good form and happy with second fastest after deciding not to take to the circuit again after the stoppage, “There was only nine minutes left and we wanted to preserve our qualifiers for Superpole,” said the Australian, who rides for DFX Ducati.

Neil Hodgson is the sole full-factory rider on the provisional front row, ahead of Regis Laconi. Xaus went fifth fastest despite crashing on his final qualifying lap. James Toseland, Lucio Pedercini and Vittorio Iannuzzo completing the provisional second row. Iannuzzo out-qualified his teammate Gregorio Lavilla after Lavilla crashed his Suzuki early in the session, lost time and failed to climb higher than thirteenth.

World Superbike championship
Round seven, San Marino (Circuit Santa Monica, Misano, Italy)
June 20-21-22

Final timed qualifying, best lap times:

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.058
2. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.276
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:35.310
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.365
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:35.422
6. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:35.477
7. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.571
8. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.992
9. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:36.050
10. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.066
11. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.069
12. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:36.094
13. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.177
14. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.340
15. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:36.514
16. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.562
17. Paolo Blora, Ducati 996RS, 1:36.623
18. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.780
19. Nello Russo, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.796
20. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.291
21. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.675
22. Serafino Foti, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.843
23. Luca Pini, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.164
24. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:38.228
25. Christian Zaiser, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:38.350
26. Giuseppe Zannini, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.796
27. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:39.099
28. Redamo Assirelli, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.936