FIM Superbike World Championship Valencia, Spain April 4, 2009 Final Qualifying Results (all on Pirelli tires): From Superpole Session Three: 1. Ben Spies (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.270 2. Regis Laconi (Duc 1098R), 1:33.955 3. Noriyuki Haga (Duc 1098 F09), 1:34.082 4. Michel Fabrizio (Duc 1098 F09), 1:34.259 5. Yukio Kagayama (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:34.755 6. Max Neukirchner (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:34.903 7. Jonathan Rea (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:35.056 8. Carlos Checa (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:35.346 From Superpole Session Two: 9. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:34.536 10. Leon Haslam (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:34.655 11. Jakub Smrz (Duc 1098R), 1:34.684 12. Shane Byrne (Duc 1098R), 1:34.742 13. Broc Parkes (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:34.823 14. Troy Corser (BMW S1000 RR), 1:34.863 15. Brendan Roberts (Duc 1098R), 1:35.082 16. John Hopkins (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:35.251 From Superpole Session One: 17. Tom Sykes (Yam YZF-R1), 1:35.203 18. Max Biaggi (Apr RSV4), 1:35.204 19. Ruben Xaus (BMW S1000 RR), 1:35.806 20. Shinya Nakano (Apr RSV4), 1:35.416 The Rest of the Grid: 21. David Salom (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:35.718 22. Tommy Hill (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:35.890 23. Karl Muggeridge (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:35.909 24. Makoto Tamada (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:36.030 25. Luca Scassa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:36.119 26. David Checa (Yam YZF-R1), 1:36.581 27. Ayrton Badovini (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:36.745 28. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:36.813 29. Matteo Baiocco (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:36.826 30. Roland Resch (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:37.820 More, from a press release issued by Ben Spies’ publicist: SPIES THREE FOR THREE WITH VALENCIA SUPERPOLE Record-Setting Qualifying Session for Yamaha Ace VALENCIA, Spain (April 4, 2009) Ben Spies continued to impress in his debut World Superbike season. The 24-year-old Texan took his third consecutive Superpole Saturday at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain. Spies turned a record-breaking lap of one minute, 33.270 seconds on the four-kilometer, 14-turn circuit. He accomplished the feat on his back-up Yamaha R1, after his A bike experience technical problems during the second segment of Superpole. The team readied Spies’ backup machine and he was able to remain perfect in Superpole so far in 2009, turning the record lap with just 90 seconds left in the final session. “I was a little worried about switching to the B bike,” Spies said after the hectic Superpole. “The set-up on the A bike was so good I wondered how I might do on the B machine. It had a slightly different set-up I hadn’t tried, so it was a big relief to find that the B bike was really good as well. “I think we actually found some improvement with the change on the backup, so I’m looking forward to riding it again Sunday morning to see if we can get a bit more out of it.” Spies said the team’s strategy in Superpole was to use the first session to refine race set-up and then to put on qualifiers for the second and third sessions. Spies’ time broke Max Neukirchner’s 2008 Valencia pole record by over half a second. Spies’ time put him nearly three-quarters of a second better than second-place qualifier Regis Laconi. “I’m especially pleased winning the pole here at Valencia,” Spies continued. “This track has definitely favored the Ducatis and my goal coming in was to simply qualify somewhere in the top five. To be able to set the pole on this type of circuit gives me a lot of confidence. Doing what we were able to do today makes me feel much better about my prospects for the rest of the season.” The three-time AMA Superbike Champion also mentioned having turned in 30 laps of testing on the track two years ago helped. It will be one of the few circuits all season that Spies has previously ridden. Spies comes into Valencia second in the standings and now turns his attention to Sunday’s races and the hope of cutting even further into his friendly rival Noriyuki Haga’s 10-point lead. “Even though we were able to turn in a good time today I definitely expect to have my hands full in the races tomorrow,” Spies concluded. “You can see by qualifying, with the Ducatis taking the next three spots behind me, that I’ll face a major challenge.” In the U.S. Valencia World Superbike Race One can be watched Sunday, April 5 on Speed TV starting at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Both races with be shown on Tuesday, April 7 starting at noon on Speed TV. More, from a press release issued by Stiggy Racing: Haslam starts from 10th, Hopkins takes 16th It’s was a tight field once again in the second day of qualifying at Valencia today, with the first 20 riders finishing the morning’s Qualifying Practice within less then a second of provisional pole sitter Ben Spies. Stiggy Racing Honda rider Leon Haslam found good pace out on race tyres in the Free Practice session and set the second fastest time. He initially started his Superpole session on a race tyre but came in for a qualifier to secure a position for Superpole 2. After being held up by other riders and a mistake in one of his fast laps, Haslam was pushed out of Superpole 2 and will start tomorrow’s race on the third row in 10th position. Hopkins is still adapting to the characteristics of his Stiggy Racing Honda Superbike but he gradually managed to push his way forward through the field today in his bid to close the gap with the front runners. He finished the second qualifying session 0.8s off the pace of the fastest man ahead of his first Superpole session. In his first outing on the Pirelli qualifying tyres he qualified for the second session, but was left out to qualify within the top 8 and will line up on the grid for his Superbike debut tomorrow in 16th position. Leon Haslam, P10, SP2-1’34.655s; “I am pretty happy with our results. We opted to use a qualifier in the first session which put me comfortably in tenth position. I used a qualifier again in the second session to get into the top 8 but Checa pulled out of the pits in front of me on my first flying lap. In my third lap I set my fastest time but by then the tyres were nearly finished. All in all I’m happy with the performance, to end up tenth on a third lap on a qualifier is not a bad result. We had our issues today but I am confident we can solve them for tomorrow after we’ve look at the data we’ve collected. I was second quickest on race tyres this morning so we’ve made good progress here and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. John Hopkins, P16 – 1’35.251s; “It’s been an interesting day with learning everything, the qualifying session in the morning and then going into Superpole. I had to jump straight in with the qualifiers as I have never used a Pirelli qualifier in my life, but we tried to make the best of our situation. Unfortunately we didn’t qualify anywhere near we would have liked to. We made a lot of headway with the machine in the last session. We had some chattering but managed to improve and made some positive changes to the machine. Everyone will be packed together so it will be tough tomorrow, I need to get off the line as fast as I can and gain as many positions as possible. Johan Stigefelt, Team Manager; “I am pleased both John and Leon qualified for the Superpole and made it through the first session although it was a bit nerve wrecking to watch. We had some issues with the set up of the suspension which we will have to sort out for tomorrow. Both riders reported the same problem so we will have to analyse the data tonight and try to resolve this. Leon has a good starting position for tomorrow, if he has a good start he can be up there in the front. John has to make a good start and move as far forward as he can. II know he will push to his limits tomorrow. I’m very happy with his performance and the way he is adapting to the bike and the tyres. It’s not easy coming into the competition and qualify just within 0.7s off the front guys.” More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: HAGA AND FABRIZIO TO LINE UP TOGETHER IN THIRD AND FOURTH PLACE ON TOMORROW’S GRID IN VALENCIA Valencia (Spain), Saturday 4th April: the Ducati Xerox Team enjoyed warm and sunny conditions at the Ricardo Tormo circuit today and were more than satisfied with the results of a closely-contested Superpole, in which Ducati men Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio registered the third and fourth fastest lap times and thus confirmed their front row positions for tomorrow’s races. In the second qualifying session that took place this morning Michel improved slightly on the fastest time he had set yesterday while Noriyuki, although lapping consistently fast once again, could not quite get under the 1m35 barrier that he was able to break yesterday. The first eleven riders concluded second qualifying within two tenths of a second of each other. The Superpole sessions passed without any particular drama for the factory Ducati squad, the two riders qualifying comfortably for the second and third mini-Superpoles. Although unable to match the pace of Yamaha’s Ben Spies and privateer Ducati rider Régis Laconi, both Noriyuki and Michel are content to be starting from the front of the pack tomorrow. Noriyuki Haga 1m34.0s “I am very happy to be on the front row. Yesterday we had already identified a good setting to use for the races and so I was pretty calm as the important thing for me was to be in the top four today. I feel that we have a good package with the 1198 here at Valencia. Although I preferred the old Superpole format because it was simpler and came down to one fast lap, I guess we are making this new format work for us too. I’m looking forward to trying to win two races here tomorrow.” Michel Fabrizio 1m34.2s “I’m happy with today’s result. After the first two rounds in which I didn’t do as well as I hope, I’m happy that we’ve got back on the right road here. I feel as comfortable as I did in winter testing during which I was going really well. We’ve got the race pace and tomorrow I hope we can be up front and fighting to get ahead of Yamaha.” More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Jonathan Rea and Carlos Checa will start tomorrow’s two third round 2009 World Superbike championship races from the second row after a tense Superpole at Valencia this afternoon. Checa, who topped yesterday’s free practice session, was fastest in the opening Superpole session, when four of the fastest 20 riders from regulation qualifying are eliminated. However, in the second session that sees sixteen reduced to eight, the Spaniard crashed. Checa was able to use the qualifying tyre that had only done one lap from the first Superpole session to ensure his place in the final shoot-out, when he had to use a race tyre to qualify in eighth place. Rea, meanwhile, qualified from Superpole 1 in ninth place, using a qualifier to ensure his progression. He opted for more of the same in Superpole 2 and set his fastest race-tyre lap of the weekend in the final shoot-out, qualifying in seventh place. Jonathan Rea P7, 1’35.056s I’m happy that we’ve made solid and steady progress even if it’s not been spectacular. The CBR is really powerful here and in some places it’s a little tricky to make the most of that power. I used a qualifier in the first two sessions to get into the last eight, and then set my best lap of the weekend on a race tyre. So Superpole was a lot better than in Qatar. We still need to do a lot of work tonight to try and find more from the bike, but the final sector is a lot better for us now and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s races. Carlos Checa P8, 1’35.346s Luckily I was quite slow on my very first Superpole lap, so I did not use up too much of the tyre. When I crashed in the second stage, I was lucky to get a fast lift back from a marshall and we used what was left of the original qualifier on my spare bike. After that, all I could do was go into the final stage on a race tyre, but at least we are on the second row. Our race pace has been improving all weekend and I was able to do a good lap at the end. The times are very tight on race tyres so, with two good starts tomorrow, I will be comfortable racing near the front. Ronald ten Kate team manager I can honestly say that I’m quite satisfied with the results today. Both Johnny and Carlos used their qualifiers in the first two sessions, so it was always going to be difficult to make the front row. But, considering most of the top 20 are within one second of each other on race tyres, I think we have to be happy with where we are. Tomorrow, the guys will need to be on the pace again because the prediction is that the races are going to be epics. More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda: Ryuichi Kiyonari of the Ten Kate Honda Racing team will start from the third row of the grid for tomorrow’s two third round 2009 World Superbike championship races at Valencia, Spain after setting the ninth fastest time in today’s Superpole shoot-out. The Japanese ace has been comfortable with his race pace for most of the weekend and made it through to the final 16 after the first of this afternoon’s three Superpole stages at the 4.005km Ricardo Tormo circuit. Kiyonari went out first on a race tyre but then utilised the first of his two allotted qualifiers to guarantee progression. Kiyonari also used a qualifier in Superpole 2 but the lap time was not quite enough to see him through to the final eight riders fighting out for positions on the front two rows. Ryuichi Kiyonari P9, 1’34.536s I was able to do a 34.7s lap on a race tyre, which is pretty close to my time on a qualifier, so maybe we could just get rid of qualifiers?! We have done a 10-lap test and we’re quite happy with the race pace and it feels stronger than what we had here last year. I need two good starts tomorrow to make two good results and I need them now so I will be trying my best in the races. Ronald ten Kate team manager It’s a pity to see Kiyo-san on the third row and missing out on the top eight when he’s been consistently fast on race tyres all weekend. I think he has the potential to race at the same pace as the other front runners, so it’s important that he gets good starts, because Valencia can be difficult if you don’t get away with the leaders. More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group/InFront Motor Sports: Spies (Yamaha) powers to Superpole hat-trick at Valencia Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) powered to his third Superpole position in three races at the Valencia track, the 24 year-old Texan once again proving to be the master of the new format. Spies, who had to switch to his second R1 machine in Superpole 2 after his first one developed a technical fault, set a record-breaking time of 1 minute 33.270 seconds, over half-a-second quicker than Neukirchner’s best mark from last year. Flanking Spies on the front row will be a trio of Ducati 1098 machines, headed by the surprising Regis Laconi, who won on this track back in 1999 with a Yamaha 500. The two factory Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio are in third and fourth place respectively. Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike): “I was a bit worried about having to change bikes, we had an OK second Superpole but coming in we had a problem with the bike and had to revert back to the other one. It had a bit of a different set-up and I didn’t get to try it in the morning practice, but luckily the change worked out well.” Regis Laconi (Ducati DFX): “I’m very happy because the bike is working really good on this track and we are ready. I won my first race in GP ten years ago and it’s just a pleasure to be up here one more time. A big thanks to DFX and Ducati for giving me a great bike. I have had a couple of difficult years but I am happy now that I am back on a Ducati” Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox): “I’m very happy for the front row. In the weekend I find a good solution for the race and I’ve already decided for the tyre. And I am feeling confident, so tomorrow I will try to do my best and win twice and that is my target” Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox): “I’ve come from two races where I haven’t had very good results, but we found our way already on the Friday and I’m hoping for two good results tomorrow. We made a change on the bike and the feeling is much better now, similar to what it was like in pre-season testing.” The second row sees a double pairing, with Suzuki ahead of Honda. Yukio Kagayama took fifth from Max Neukirchner, while Jonathan Rea was seventh ahead of Carlos Checa. The Spanish rider just managed to avoid being eliminated in Superpole 2, setting his best time despite a fall. Broc Parkes again put in a positive performance for Kawasaki, setting 13th quickest time on his ZX-10R machine, just ahead of the BMW of Troy Corser, who had been expecting to go better in Superpole after a positive qualifying session. Once again the first knock-out phase saw some illustrious victims with Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia), one of the quickest riders throughout the day, not making the cut. The other Aprilia rider Shinya Nakano missed the Superpole after breaking his left collarbone in a crash in the morning. He was operated on today with the aim of being ready for the next round at Assen. Times: 1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1’33.270; 2. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1’33.955; 3. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1’34.082; 4. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’34.259; 5. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’34.755; 6. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’34.903; 7. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1’35.056; 8. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1’35.346 9. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1’34.536; 10. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1’34.655; 11. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1’34.684; 12. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1’34.742; 13. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’34.823; 14. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1’34.863; 15. Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1’35.082; 16. Hopkins J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR 1’35.251; 17. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1’35.203; 18. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’35.204; 19) Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1’35.806; 20. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’35.416 World Supersport Supersport pole honours once again went to Cal Crutchlow on his factory Yamaha R6. In his debut season, the British rider powered to his second successive pole and was the only man under the 1’36″ mark as he grabbed the top slot right at the end of the session. Crutchlow managed to prevent Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki) from taking the pole at his home circuit, last year’s winner settling for second place, less than two-tenths behind his rival. Making up the front row was the first Honda, ridden by Anthony West (Stiggy Racing) and the second Kawasaki of Katsuaki Fujiwara. Michele Pirro (Yamaha Lorenzini) scored an impressive fifth place on the grid, the best of the Italians, and he was joined by Honda Althea’s Mark Aitchison and Matthieu Lagrive, with Fabien Foret completing the Yamaha sandwich. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s two champions Andrew Pitt and Kenan Sofuoglu failed to shine and both will start from row 3, the reigning champion ninth but with three crashes to his name in the session, while the Turkish rider failed to find the right pace. Qatar winner Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) could only manage the fourth row and will have his work cut out tomorrow to make much of an impression. Times: 1. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1’35.865; 2. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’36.033; 3. West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1’36.664; 4. Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’36.754; 5. Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’36.812; 6. Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1’36.910; 7. Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1’36.918; 8. Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’37.013 Superstock 1000 The first pole position of the season went to Davide Giugliano, in his debut season for MV Agusta. The Italian managed hold off the attacks of Claudio Corti (Suzuki Alstare), penalized by a technical problem that left him a fraction behind. Alongside can be found another of the title favourites, Belgium’s Xavier Simeon (Ducati Xerox Junior Team), who overtook Frenchman Sylvain Barrier, the first Yamaha runner, on his final qualifying lap. The first qualifier on the second row was another Frenchman Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Honda), while 2008 Superstock 600 champion Loris Baz made a good impression in seventh place. Times: 1. Giugliano D. (ITA) MV Agusta F4 312 R 1’37.302; 2. Corti C. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’37.461 3. Simeon X. (BEL) Ducati 1098R 1’37.868; 4. Barrier S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 1’37.944; 5. Berger M. (FRA)Honda CBR1000RR 1’38.186; 6. Jezek O. (CZE) Honda CBR1000RR 1’38.265; 7. Baz L. (FRA)Yamaha YZF R1 1’38.300; 8. Fores J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’38.393 Superstock 600 After dominating free practice, Danilo Petrucci (Yamaha Italia Trasimeno) did the same in qualifying to clinch pole position. The Italian was almost one second ahead of his chief rival, Belgium’s Vincent Lonbois (MTM Yamaha). Gino Rea (Ten Kate Honda) moved up the grid into third place, ahead of one of the favourites, Marco Bussolotti (Yamaha Italia Trasimeno). Times: 1. Petrucci D. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’39.214; 2. Lonbois V. (BEL) Yamaha YZF R6 1’40.164; 3. Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1’40.469; 4. Bussolotti M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’40.513; 5. La Marra E. (ITA)Honda CBR600RR 1’40.594; 6. Guarnoni J. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’40.865; 7. Kerschbaumer S. (AUT)Yamaha YZF R6 1’41.023; 8. Litjens J. (NED) Yamaha YZF R6 1’41.026 More, from a press release issued by Team Sterilgarda: Team Sterilgarda is set for tomorrow’s race at Valencia. Shane Byrne had a positive day 2 although he crashed in the second session of the Superpole. After practising yesterday on the Spanish track, the British rider has progressively lowered his times until the crash that prevented him from participating in the third session. SHANE BYRNE | Ducati 1098R | 12th in 1’34.742: “Today almost everyting went smoothly, we’ve improved a lot and when I set my fastest time(1’34″7) I was almost sure I could lower it by a further second. Unfortunately, while I was exiting a slow corner, I accelerated a bit too early and I crashed without consequences. However, I’m confident for tomorrow’s race as the boys have done a wonderful job and the I have a good feeling on the bike now”. MARCO BORCIANI – team manager: “It’s a real pity! The crash put an end to our Superpole strategy. We were really hoping to get in the third session and qualify from the front row. Nonetheless, I’m still confident we can get in the leading pack and hope for a good result. Shakey is really doing a fantastic job and I have to congratulate him. He was competitive despite the phlegmon, an ugly infection in his left knee that hurts him a lot when he moves. Unfortunately this temporary handicap might be decisive on a track with so many left-hand corners. He is in treatment now and should be fully recovered until the next round”. More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport: TROY AND RUBEN FAST ON RACE RUBBER, BUT BOTH SUFFER IN SUPERPOLE. BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus will start tomorrow’s third round of the Superbike World Championship from the fourth and fifth rows of the grid despite a good final qualifying session this morning. Troy ended the second qualifying with the sixth fastest time, just 0.142 slower than the fastest rider – Ben Spies. Ruben finished seventeenth, only 0.707 down on Spies, but all that changed in Superpole when qualifying tyres came into the equation. Both Troy and Ruben qualified for Superpole 1, and Troy’s lap of 1:34.961 was just eight tenths of a second slower than the fastest rider and enough to get him into Superpole 2, but he could not quite manage a lap fast enough to get into Superpole 1. Ruben finished 19th, and so missed out on getting into Superpole 2. American Ben Spies (Yamaha) took his third pole in a row,with Regis Laconi (Ducati) second and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) third. Troy – 14th, 1:34.863 We improved the bike from yesterday, chassis and suspension wise, and the bike felt pretty good on race tyres. But as soon as we put on qualifying tyres, everything seemed to change. Strangely enough, it felt as if there was more grip, but my actual lap times were slower! The bike was also harder to stop on qualifying tyres. If the organisers decide to not have qualifying tyres any more, I will be more happy. My bike jumped out of gear but, as I was upright at the time, it wasn’t a problem. This is a tough track at the best of times, but it’s going to be a whole lot harder starting from the fourth row. Ruben – 19th, 1:35.806 Today I improved over a second from yesterday and that made me happy and when I put in a really good time on race tyres. I was very optimistic about Superpole qualifying. IN Superpole 1, I was on a hot lap, when the bike got a false neutral in the right hand hairpin. I went into the gravel with my knee down and then tipped over at slow speed. There was no damage to me or the bike, but I was disappointed because I thought I would be on course for getting into Superpole 2. At least I am more happy with the bike today then yesterday, though it does feel different when it is on qualifying tyres. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: Team Suzuki Alstare Brux riders Yukio Kagayama and Max Neukirchner qualified in fifth and sixth places respectively after Superpole qualifying and will start tomorrow’s pair of 23-lap races at the third world Superbike Championship at Valencia in Spain alongside each other on the grid. American Ben Spies (Yamaha) took his third pole in a row with Regis Laconi (Ducati) second and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) third. Yukio Kagayama – 5th, 1:34.755: “My back is still sore from yesterday’s crash, but when I am on the bike I forget about the pain. My job is to race and this morning we improved the set-up and suspension of the bike from yesterday, and although it is not perfect, it is better. I don’t think we will make any big changes for the races tomorrow, but I know I need to go faster! Before Superpole, my mission was to get into the last eight and I managed that, though it would’ve been good to get on the front row. It will be very important to get good starts tomorrow because the lap times are very close. At one time today, I think the top 20 were separated by only one second! Max Neukirchner – 6th, 1:34903: “We improved the handling of the bike today and also found a bit more grip, but our biggest problem is that we need more side grip. I had a crash this morning but it was not my fault because I fell on somebody else’s oil. It was at the first right-hander and when I saw yellow flags, I slowed down, but I still crashed because I couldn’t see the oil. I think Superpole was one of our best this year, or maybe the best, but the lap times are very close this year and it’s all very, very competitive. This new Superpole system is a bit of a gamble – with just two qualifying tyres available – so I decided to use them in Superpole 1 and 2, instead of keeping one for Superpole 3. I need a good start tomorrow because it is not so easy to pass in the infield, so I hope to get off the line quickly in both races.” Final Superbike Qualifying: 1 Spies (USA-Yamaha) 1:33.270, 3 Laconi (F-Ducati) 1:33.955, 3 Haga (J-Ducati) 1:34.082, 4 Fabrizio (I-Ducati) 1:34.259, 5 Yukio Kagayama (J-Suzuki Alstare Brux) 1:34.755, 6 Max Neukirchner (D-Suzuki Alstare Brux) 1:34.903 FIM SUPERSTOCK 1000: Despite a problem in final qualifying this afternoon, Team Suzuki Alstare Brux rider Claudio Corti managed to finish final qualifying with the second quickest time. Davide Giugliano (MV) took pole position, just 0.159 faster than Corti, with Xavi Simeon (Ducati) third and Sylvain Barrier (Yamaha) fourth. Claudio Corti – 2nd, 1:37.461: “I had a problem with one of my bikes this afternoon, so had to switch to the other one. But the other one had a very different feeling and it took me a few laps to get used to it. I managed to put in some fast laps towards the end and I am happy enough to be on the front row of the grid. In the warm-up tomorrow we might make a small adjustment to the rear shock, but not much more. I was glad I had conserved one of my tyres from yesterday because it came in handy when I had the problem this afternoon. I hope to make a good start and begin my debut with this great team in the best possible way.” Final Superstock 1000 Qualifying: 1 Giugliano (I-MV) 1:37.302, 2 Claudio Corti (I-Suzuki Alstare Brux) 1:37.461, 3 Simeon (B-Ducati) 1:37.868, 4 Barrier (F-Yamaha) 1:37.944, 5 Berger (F-Honda) 1:38.186, 6 Jezek (CZ-Honda) 1:38.265. More, from a press release issued by Yamaha: Spies takes incredible third consecutive pole in Valencia In a drama filled day of incidents Ben Spies again proved his incredible riding skills, taking his third consecutive pole position start in the 2009 championship and smashing the Ricardo Tormo lap record in the process. Spies was the fastest rider in the morning qualifying session with a time of 1’34.709, team-mate Sykes was slower onto the pace, qualifying in 16th position. Spies is the first rider to score three consecutive poles at the beginning of the World Championship season since Scott Russell in 1994. Spies bike suffered a fault at the end of the second Superpole, leaving him no choice but to head out on the back-up bike for the final session. The different bike set-up proved to be a winning combination, Spies set a blistering pace and qualified on pole position with a time of 1’33.270, setting a new lap record in the process. The Superpole session did not go so well for team-mate Sykes, he initially qualified in 6th position on race tyres however as other riders changed to qualifiers he was bumped down the field with no time to go out again. Ben Spies, Yamaha World Superbike Team (1st, 1’33.270) “The first session was good for us. We still have some things we’re working through but even now the race pace seems good and we seem fast and that’s what matters. Superpole was good, we went out and got through the first two sessions and was going well until the end of the second session when we had a problem with the bike and had to switch to the back-up bike. When I got out there I knew the set-up was good and actually think we’ve found something for the race tomorrow. Obviously we don’t get points for pole but it’s good to get three in a row. I guess in the end it’s about having a couple more feet on everyone else just for that start. “ Tom Sykes, Yamaha World Superbike Team, (17th, 1’35.203) “This morning was a steady session because we had some things to work out. I shouldn’t really have been that low on the Superpole, I started on a race tyre and had an ok time and thought I was quite safe in the top six, unfortunately the other riders switched to qualifiers. It’s difficult because now you can get stuck behind riders in the race that you wouldn’t normally be behind and wouldn’t be a problem. So we’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow, I was hoping we were going to have a good position to start but it doesn’t look that way now.” Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager “we had a good result one side of the garage, the other side a bit less. Unfortunately Tom lost the ability to do the2nd and 3rd superpole sessions. Ben did a really good lap, he broke the old lap record and he also had a really good race pace. As usual we will make some more changes overnight and check everything in the morning ready to race.”