FIM Supersport World Championship Misano, San Marino June 19, 2009 Free Practice One Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Cal CRUTCHLOW (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:39.442 2. Joan LASCORZ (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:39.821 3. Kenan SOFUOGLU (Honda CBR600RR), 1:39.895 4. Eugene LAVERTY (Honda CBR600RR), 1:40.355 5. Foret FORET (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:40.560 6. Andrew PITT (Honda CBR600RR), 1:40.592 7. Mark AITCHISON (Honda CBR600RR), 1:40.673 8. Massimo ROCCOLI (Honda CBR600RR), 1:40.676 9. Michele PIRRO (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:40.981 10. Katsuaki FUJIWARA (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:40.984 11. Gianluca NANNELLI (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:41.190 12. Danilo DELL’OMO (Honda CBR600RR), 1:41.353 13. Anthony WEST (Honda CBR600RR), 1:41.401 14. Doni Tata PRADITA (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:41.485 15. Flavio GENTILE (Honda CBR600RR), 1:41.522 16. Robbin HARMS (Honda CBR600RR), 1:41.534 17. Barry VENEMAN (Honda CBR600RR), 1:41.551 18. Alessandro BRANNETTI (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:41.580 19. Gianluca VIZZIELLO (Honda CBR600RR), 1:41.664 20. Garry MCCOY (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:41.750 21. Miguel PRAIA (Honda CBR600RR), 1:41.962 22. Jesco GÃœNTHER (Honda CBR600RR), 1:42.091 23. Arie VOS (Honda CBR600RR), 1:43.001 24. Patrik VOSTÁREK (Honda CBR600RR), 1:43.468 25. Matej SMRZ (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:43.769 26. Michael LAVERTY (Honda CBR600RR), 1:43.785 27. Kev COGHLAN (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:44.279 28. Robert MURESAN (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:44.861 29. Yannick GUERRA (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:45.362 More, from a press release issued by Parkalgar Honda: Eugene on the pace as temperature soars in San Marino PARKALGAR HONDA racer Eugene Laverty finished fourth in roasting hot 35-degree temperatures during today’s first practice for the eighth round of the World Supersport Championship at the Misano circuit in San Marino, Italy. Miguel Praia ended practice 21st quickest on his Parkalgar Honda. Championship leader Cal Crutchlow was fastest ahead of tomorrow’s practice and qualifying sessions. The race takes place at 1325CET on Sunday and can be watched on Eurosport or www.worldsbk.com. Eugene: “The session finished good for us in the end after we made a big change to my Parkalgar Honda half-way through, just in case it rains tomorrow. We really needed a harder spring in the forks and it worked well through the faster parts but I then lost a little time on the slower sections like the hairpin. I stayed out for the end of the session to get plenty of data and we know what we need to do to improve.” Miguel: “That was very hot and hard; it was not the best session for me. Without training all week and still recovering from my injured left leg, I managed the first 45-minutes around the top 15 and then in the last 15-minutes was completely tired. Tomorrow’s sessions are 45-minutes so it will not be a problem. I will rest well now, my leg is painful, especially when changing direction but the doctors are helping me to recover. We are just 0.1seconds away from my fastest time in 2008 already which is good and with help from Eugene’s data I know we will perform better tomorrow.” Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “It is warm here with the track temperature over 50-degrees and that took its toll on Miguel who is struggling to be fit. He will rest tonight and be focussed on improving the Parkalgar Honda technicians will compare data tonight and he will benefit from Eugene’s settings. Eugene is on the pace and as ever is building his effort across the weekend. He knows where he is losing time to the three riders ahead of him and how to get it back so we can expect him to be contesting the front row in qualifying. He also ran both tyres in case it rains tomorrow and has an idea which he will use if Sunday is a dry race.” More, from a press release issued by Team YZF Yamaha: Doni Tata Pradita 14th The hot temperature on the circuit of Misano (35° Celsius) made it hard for the riders. With the track surface at 53° C, it was difficult to do fast lap times. The only qualifying session tomorrow may be complicated as there is an 80% chance of heavy rain. Doni Tata Pradita did a good first free practice session of which he finished in 14th position, 2.043 behind the fastest rider Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha), the leader of the World Championship. It is a good result for the first day when the high temperature makes it very difficult. This is the first time for Doni on this circuit in the Supersport class and this is positive for the events to come.” Doni Tata Pradita: “It is so hot I think I lost two kilos! I come from Indonesia, this is true, but I have been living for months in France where the temperature is much lower. This practice was good. I like this track. We tested two bikes, one with the racing kit and one with the Magneti-Marelli system. I had a good feeling on the first bike with the racing kit that I used to learn the track. Then I used the Marelli one, but the feeling was not so good. When I switched off the throttle, the engine was still pushing. When I opened the throttle, the response was late. But it gives a strong bottom power. We need a better mapping. I shall improve tomorrow.” Martial Garcia (team manager): “Doni confirms his progression. He is in the top 15 on this track that is new for him in the Supersport class. The motorcycle is progression. This is the right direction for the end of the season.” The Santa Monica circuit: Designed in 1969, Misano was opened in 1972. The circuit’s length was 3488 meters at the time. There were three San Marino Grand Prix between 1985 and 1987. In 1993, it was increased to 4060 meters (2.52 miles) while track width was increased to 12 meters so that Misano could be homologated by the FIM. In 1997, the circuit infrastructures were revamped to boost its international status and appeal. In 2007, it was decided that the track would be used clockwise. Misano’s excellent location (the track is 4kms away from Riccione, 15 from Rimini and 130 from Bologna) means that both Grand Prix and World Superbike events have been held there and it is often used as a test track. More, from a press release issued by HANspree Ten Kate Honda: Kenan Sofuoglu and Andrew Pitt set the third and sixth fastest times respectively in today’s opening practice session for Sunday’s eighth round World Supersport championship race at Misano in Italy. In addition to seeking fast lap times for Sunday’s 22-lap race at the 4.2km circuit, the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda duo continued their evaluation of Ohlins suspension, which began during a test at Magny-Cours earlier this week. Britain’s Cal Crutchlow set the fastest time towards the end of today’s hour-long session held in temperatures of 35 degrees, with the track registering 53 degrees, as both Hannspree Ten Kate Honda riders declared themselves happy with progress. Kenan Sofuoglu P3, 1’39.895s I have a very good feeling with the front of my CBR600RR, but we did a lot of product testing today. We have tried a lot of different set ups and so we have a lot of data to go through tonight. Of course, it’s difficult to test things like different suspension during a race weekend when you have to concentrate on setting a fast time. But we should have enough information now to sit down tonight and decide which way to go. Andrew Pitt P6, 1’40.592s We basically went out this afternoon and did a straightforward back-to-back test two runs on each bike with a couple of small changes in between. Considering it’s really the first time out, I’d say we’re pretty close already, especially with the rear. But we’ve got to sit down and analyse that back-to-back data to get a better idea of what it all means. Ronald ten Kate team manager We’ve had a good start to the weekend, especially considering the conditions in which we are working. For sure, we have been even more busy as usual with this evaluation going on. After one free practice, however, it would be premature to make any decisions without sitting down with riders and technicians to analyse everything, lap by lap. I think we might have a long night ahead. More, from a press release issued by Team ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing: Boling hot weather hit Misano for the first practice session of round 8. Nonetheless, both Gianluca Nannelli and Garry McCoy worked hard on bike setup despite having to deal with a different track than Salt Lake City, where the previous round was held. It was a sketchy kind of work mainly because of very high temperature which also was the cause of the technical problems that McCoy ran into. As a consequence, tomorrow will be crucial as riders will have two practice sessions, although rain is forecast and this will probably be decisive. GARRY McCOY | Triumph Daytona 675 | 20th in 1’41.750 : “We couldn’t complete our work today but we already know what’s to be done. However, in order for us to find a good setup, we have to capitalize on tomorrow’s morning session if the weather allows us”. GIANLUCA NANNELLI | Triumph Daytona 675 | 11th in 1’41.190 : “We started from where we left off as far as setup is concerned, we worked on weight layout for a good suspension. I also found myself at ease immediately and set fast times. We’ll finish work in the morning session tomorrow and hopefully start from the first rows again”. More, from a press release issued by Stiggy Racing Honda: West aims for improvement in first Misano Practice Anthony West opened the first day of practice at a hot Misano track, by finally showing the improvement the team had been anticipating for. After struggling through the qualifying sessions in the last three Supersport outings, the number three team in last year’s Supersport championship are eager to lift results to a higher level at Misano this weekend. West received new parts for his Honda CBR600R machine and spent today’s 60-minute session putting testing new parts for his bike in back-to-back shifts. His best time of 1’41.401s is still almost two-seconds off the pace ran at the front of his field, but West has shown that the improvement is there, and anticipates to further climb the time sheets in tomorrow’s qualifying session. Gianluca Vizziellowho took his maiden Superstock win at the track in 2002gradually improved his performance throughout today’s session, and finished in a best time of 1’41.664s. Vizziello is still chasing his first top-ten finish for the team this season, and is eager to do so on his home track this weekend. Anthony West, 1’41.401s: ” We are still not there, but have made some important improvement. There is still a lot of work to do, but I am sure we can be a lot faster tomorrow. I tried both bikes with different settings and tested the new parts the team has received for this race. One bike felt better than the other. We will be concentrating on finding the right setting on my number one bike in tomorrow’s practice. I aim to be a lot faster in qualifying tomorrow and hopefully get a good position on the grid ahead of the race on Sunday.” Gianluca Vizziello, 1’41.664s: ” I am satisfied with today’s first session. There certainly is a lot more potential in the bike, and I aim to further improve in tomorrow’s qualifying. We still have some new parts to try in the next session, and I am confident they will bring the times further down. I will definitely be pushing it tomorrow. I am at my home track, so I will have to perform here in front of my friends and fans.” Johan Stigefelt, Team Manager: ” We received some new parts for our Supersport machines here this weekend. Anthony is already showing some improvement and feels more comfortable on his bike. We just need to further improve tomorrow and work on some of the issues we still face. We need to fine tune some the set-up of the machines to bring down the lap times. I hope we can qualify well tomorrow, then I am confident on riding a good race on Sunday. ” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha: Crutchlow fastest on day one in Misano Lack of track knowledge and incredible temperatures in the Italian sunshine didn’t stop Yamaha World Supersport rider Cal Crutchlow from conquering the Misano circuit on his first session today. Having never ridden here before it was an impressive turn out for Crutchlow who was within two tenths of a second of the lap record of 1’39.398 set by Broc Parkes last year. Team-mate Fabien Foret was also on good form, having worked on some front set up changes the Frenchman put in consistently fast laps to end the first free practice session of the weekend a respectable fifth on the time sheet, less than a second off his team-mate. Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha World Supersport Team (1st, 1’39.442) “Today was good enough, my first time ever at Misano. I did six laps running around the track over the last couple of days and had a look at it. I’ve been watching it a bit on TV as well but that’s about it. It was a good first session. We were the fastest Supersport bike out there today and that’s good enough for me. Hopefully we’ll continue that over the weekend.” Fabien Foret, Yamaha World Supersport Team (5th, 1’40.560) “It was a good first day for me and I was happy with the bike by the end of the session. In the first half, before the session was red flagged for oil on the track I was not too happy with the front end but we made some changes and switched to a new tyre and it felt much better. I’m looking forward to starting again tomorrow and improving the set up even more for Sunday’s race.” Wilco Zeelenberg, Yamaha World Supersport Team Manager “It was an impressive first practice for Cal I have to say, he rode 28 laps and managed to be within one tenth of the lap record from last year and we’re happy with that. Everything feels ok on the bike, hopefully tomorrow we’ll have stable weather as I think it will be better for everybody. Fabien was also quite pleased with the bike, we tried a different front tyre which worked well, He started ok and we made some changes to the front end which improved a lot and he got even faster. We’re all looking forward to tomorrow with confidence.”