FIM Supersport World Championship
Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia
February 22, 2014
Qualifying Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Kenan SOFUOGLU, Turkey (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:32.769
2. Michael VD MARK, Netherlands (Honda CBR600RR), 1:33.021
3. Roberto TAMBURINI, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:33.290
4. Kevin COGHLAN, UK (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:33.300
5. PJ JACOBSEN, USA (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:33.346, crash
6. Vladimir LEONOV, Russia (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:33.379
7. Raffaele DE ROSA, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:33.542
8. Rathapark WILAIROT, Thailand (Honda CBR600RR), 1:33.755
9. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:34.100, crash
10. Bryan STARING, Australia (Honda CBR600RR), 1:34.273
11. Florian MARINO, France (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:34.276
12. Billy McCONNELL, Australia (Triumph Daytona 675R), 1:34.392
13. Kevin WAHR, Germany (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:34.517
14. Jules CLUZEL, France (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:34.724, crash
15. Christian GAMARINO, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:34.747
16. Fabio MENGHI, Italy (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:34.885
17. Riccardo RUSSO, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:34.930
18. Graeme GOWLAND, UK (Triumph Daytona 675R), 1:35.030, crash
19. Roberto ROLFO, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:35.191
20. Tony COVEÑA, Netherlands (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:35.429
More, from a press release issued by Pata Honda Supersport Team:
Australian front row for van der Mark
Michael van der Mark set the second-fastest time in this afternoon’s qualifying session for tomorrow’s opening round of the 2014 World Supersport championship at Phillip Island in Australia.
The 21-year-old Dutch rider’s time was just two tenths of a second from that of world champion Kenan Sofuoglu, who will start tomorrow’s 18-lap opening race at the 4.445km Phillip Island circuit from pole position.
Van der Mark’s Pata Honda team-mate Lorenzo Zanetti set the ninth-fastest time this afternoon but crashed on his final lap, injuring the middle finger of his left hand.
The 26-year-old Italian has been taken to hospital in Melbourne for further assessment, following which a decision will be taken on the possibility of his participation in tomorrow’s race.
Michael van der Mark – P2 1m33.021s
This morning I did a race simulation and the bike felt really good and we were happy with the times. This afternoon I only had to focus on the lap time and we had some of the tyres that I like around here. I went out on an old set and did quite a good time, and when we threw in a new set I was able to improve the time from this morning. We had a red flag and then I had another tyre and I think that if we could put all the good sectors together I would be a little bit faster but I’m happy with second place and the front row. The race pace is good and I have a lot of confidence.
Lorenzo Zanetti – P9 1m34.100s
It’s very upsetting to crash and get this injury because we made some good progress after this morning. I was in P9 but looking to push for a top six grid position when I crashed at Siberia. I’m not really sure what happened or how I injured my finger but I have to go and get it checked by the doctors in Melbourne now. We will have to wait and see if I need some surgery and how it is tomorrow before I can say I will definitely race.
Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator
Unfortunately Lorenzo crashed on his very last lap in an effort to improve his grid position. He has a nasty injury to his finger and we’re not sure if he can race tomorrow. It’s really unfortunate for him and his crew but we will have to wait for more information on that. Michael was second today and tried hard to overhaul Kenan Sofuoglu on pole position but didn’t quite succeed in the end. But we’re very happy with second place and he should be in the fight for the podium tomorrow. Michael has been on fire here and we’re excited to see what he can do in the race.
More, from a press release issued by CIA Insurance Honda:
RAFFAELE SEVENTH; KENNEDY LOOKING TO PASS MEDICAL
CIA INSURANCE HONDA’S Raffaele De Rosa took a strong seventh place on the grid for the opening round of the World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island in Australia despite only riding the bike for the first time this week.
Nacho Calero is still lacking in confidence after a test crash and qualified 22nd. The CIA Insurance Honda team is looking to work with him to fight for the points in the race.
Injured Jack Kennedy will attempt a to pass a medical test in the morning ahead of warm up to see if he can race. He is recovering fast and feels able and ready to race. If he passes then he will enter warm up and must record a time within 107% of the fastest rider to be eligible to race. If successful, he would start from the rear of the grid.
Round 1 starts at 1310 local time on Sunday 23rd February. A decision on Jack Kennedy will be announced around 0900 local time.
Raffaele: “I am happy with my qualification but maybehappier that my lap times are close to the riders in front. We have the speedto fight for the podium if we get a good start. I am still learning about theCIA Insurance Honda and if we can make some more improvements in warm up thiswill help.”
Nacho: “I am starting to get some confidence back and willbe looking to warm up to improve further. I am looking forward to the race butwant to be fighting for points.”
Simon Buckmaster, CIA Insurance Honda: “Raffaele had anothergood day, he is doing consistently good race laps and getting better and betterwith more riding time on the bike. As with Film, he has a good chance to fightfor the podium.
“Nacho has got faster but he is still not back to his owntest time from Day One which was so promising. He is still not fully confident,but we will work together to get him into the 1m34seconds bracket and give himthe confidence to fight for the points.
“We are fully supporting Jack as he intends to take amedical in the morning. If passed, then we have no doubt he can score points.He is healing rapidly.”
More, from a press release issued by CORE PTR Honda:
EIGHTH FOR FILM IN QUALIFICATION
CORE’ PTR HONDA’S Ratthapark Wilairot (Film) scored an impressive eighth place on the grid for tomorrow’s opening round of the World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island in Australia.
The Thailand racer has continued to improve throughout the weekend as he adapts to his Core’ PTR Honda and has focused on race tyre runs rather than outright lap times. He takes to the start of Round 1 at 1310 local time on Sunday 23rd February.
Film: “I am OK with my qualification and happy with my race pace. I think over race distance we will be competitive and I am looking for a good result. I am still learning and understanding the differences between WSS and Moto2 but with every session I feel more comfortable on my Core’ PTR Honda.”
Simon Buckmaster, Core’ PTR Honda: “Film is riding well and improving all the time. He crashed in FP3 but without too much damage to himself or the bike. This afternoon he posted a few strong laps in the 1m33second bracket, which is good. We are looking to make some improvements for rear grip for the race and Film himself is looking to improve. He is in good shape to fight for the podium.”