FIM Superbike World Championship Misano, San Marino June 25, 2010 Qualifying Session One Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Cal CRUTCHLOW, Great Britain (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:36.288 2. Troy CORSER, Australia (BMW S1000RR), 1:36.344, crash 3. Leon HASLAM, Great Britain (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:36.365 4. Michel FABRIZIO, Italy (Ducati 1098F10), 1:36.549 5. Carlos CHECA, Spain (Ducati 1098R), 1:36.761 6. Max BIAGGI, Italy (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), 1:36.793 7. Shane BYRNE, Great Britain (Ducati 1098R), 1:36.819 8. Luca SCASSA, Italy (Ducati 1098R), 1:36.946 9. Leon CAMIER, Great Britain (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), 1:37.048 10. James TOSELAND, Great Britain (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:37.124, crash 11. Jakub SMRZ, Czech Republic (Ducati 1098R), 1:37.189 12. Sylvain GUINTOLI, France (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:37.314 13. Noriyuki HAGA, Japan (Ducati 1098F10), 1:37.420 14. Tom SYKES, Great Britain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:37.444 15. Ruben XAUS, Spain (BMW S1000RR), 1:37.461 16. Jonathan REA, Great Britain (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:37.769 17. Lorenzo LANZI, Italy (Ducati 1098R), 1:37.947, crash 18. Max NEUKIRCHNER, Germany (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:38.068 19. Chris VERMEULEN, Australia (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:38.760, crash 20. Broc PARKES, Australia (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:38.800 21. Matteo BAIOCCO, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:38.892 22. Roger HAYDEN, USA (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:39.078 23. Federico SANDI, Italy (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), 1:39.262 More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: FABRIZIO (DUCATI XEROX) FAST IN FIRST QUALIFYING AT MISANO Misano (Italy), Friday 25th June: Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) has shown that he’s more than ready for the eighth World Superbike round at the Misano World Circuit, having demonstrated a fast pace before registering the fourth fastest time in first qualifying today. In the opening free practice session, and in conditions typical of the Misano World Circuit in June (28°C air, 40°C track), the Ducati Xerox riders Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga made a determined start, with the Roman rider in particular recording a string of consistently fast laps throughout the session. After this first hour on track, and despite a lack of grip through certain sections including the Quercia corner where new asphalt has recently been laid, Fabrizio closed in second position with Haga just four tenths of a second behind in sixth place. Later in the afternoon, and on hotter tarmac, Michel continued to lap fast, ducking under 1m37 already in the early stages of the session. The afternoon’s work involved setting up the suspension for the softer of the two new rear tyre solutions that Pirelli have brought to the track. The Roman rider closed in fourth position, just three tenths of a second behind Crutchlow (Yamaha), the fastest rider of the day. Noriyuki and his technicians concentrated on the setting of the Japanese rider’s machine, trying different combinations in order to improve traction. After a rather difficult session, Haga finished the day in thirteenth position but remains confident that he will be able to improve tomorrow. Michel Fabrizio 1m36.5 “We’ve already found a good pace and the feeling I have with the bike isn’t bad but we need to work more on the tyre wear because I did some fast laps today but the level of grip was dropping after only a few laps. We’ll see tomorrow but I’m sure we can improve further if we resolve that problem.” Noriyuki Haga 1m37.4 “We started from the setting that I finished up with at the recent Misano tests, but the feeling I had today was different. Tomorrow we’ll try to combine my setting with what Troy was using and we’ll see if that works. The Quercia corner was also tricky for me today as they’ve put down new tarmac and I didn’t have enough grip there. The tyres haven’t convinced me today but tomorrow I’ll go out on our “usual” tyre, which was the one which worked best for me at the recent tests. Basically, I hope to improve a lot tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha: Crutchlow takes provisional pole in scorching Misano Sunshine With track temperatures hitting 41 degrees Yamaha Sterilgarda rider Cal Crutchlow got down to business, repeating his strong performance at the tests here last week to record the fastest time in the first of the two qualifying sessions. Although strong throughout the session, Crutchlow left it until the last few minutes to post his best times as the track temperature started to cool in the afternoon. Team mate James Toseland had a tougher start to his Misano weekend. He spent the qualifying session working through some different settings between his two bikes, working back to get to the form found at the recent test. He suffered a small low side crash mid way through the session, but was uninjured and back out on the second bike within minutes. Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (1st, 1’36.288) “I’m happy to be fastest at the end of the first day, I think we’ve made some good steps forward. The new corner is good, they’ve resurfaced it so it’s got good grip and the track itself is a lot cleaner than it was earlier on in the day in the free practice session. I think we’ve done a good enough job today, we matched the time we did in the test which is good. We tried a different chassis spec today, if we can continue the improvement with that then hopefully we’ll get better and better.” James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (10th, 1’37.124) “A little bit frustrating with the crash, but all in all we’re only 0.8 off. We were trying a few things electronically this afternoon which weren’t working perfectly. Once we sit down tonight and work out what the difference is I can’t see any problems for tomorrow. I put in the times in the test so I’m feeling confident.” Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager “The track surface is a little bit different to the test last week, but we more or less used the same bike set up as during the test. Pirelli bought some new tyres so tomorrow we will continue to test to find the right one for us to use during the race. We don’t have any real problems so far, just a small crash by James but he is ok. I think we are quite satisfied for our first day.” More, from a press release issued by Infront Motor Sports: Crutchlow leads the madding crowd at sun-kissed Misano After the first day of intense practice action at a warm and sunny Misano circuit, Yamaha Sterilgarda rider Cal Crutchlow heads the qualifying sheets with a 1’36.288, putting him narrowly ahead of Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport). Late in the hour-long session Crutchlow ran off track trying to go even faster, but did not fall. Corser had been fastest in the unofficial morning practice session, making the most of improvements to his machine during recent Misano tests. Leon Haslam (Alstare Suzuki) started well to go third, with local hot shot Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) fourth. Four different types of machine – Yamaha, BMW, Suzuki and Ducati – filled the top four places. The top 11 riders were within the same second with one more session of qualifying and then Superpole taking place tomorrow. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) was a late fifth, snatching that place from championship leader Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia). Seventh was 2009 race podium finisher Shane Byrne, Checa’s team-mate, while Italian privateer Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) was once more well in the mix in eighth. The second works Aprilia, ridden by Leon Camier, was ninth and the top ten was completed by James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda), who also proved to be a late faller in the session. Top Kawasaki rider was to be Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) who ended his first day 14th. A Misano race winner in 2009, Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was only 16th today. The race lap record at Misano is a 1’37.135, making the top riders’ times in the 1’36s, still on race tyres, impressive after only one day of practice. Times: 1. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1’36.288 (158,001 km/h); 2. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1’36.344; 3. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’36.365; 4. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’36.549; 5. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1’36.761; 6. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’36.793; 7. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1’36.819; 8. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’36.946; 9. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’37.048; 10. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1’37.124; 11. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1’37.189; 12. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’37.314; 13. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1’37.420; 14.Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’37.444; 15. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1’37.461; 16. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.769; World Supersport Once more Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) started his race weekend in good form, earning the top place in the first official qualifying session right at the end of the day, with a 1’39.469. He displaced fast regular Michele Pirro (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) to second, with local wildcard rider Roberto Tamburini (Bike Service Yamaha) going third, shortly before falling without injury on his last lap. Championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was fourth, just edging out rookie rider Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) to fifth place. First Kawasaki rider was Joan Lascorz (Motocard.com) in sixth place and top ParkinGo Triumph BE-1 rider proved to be Chaz Davies, seventh. David Salom was right behind his team-mate Davies, while local rider, Massimo Roccoli was ninth on his Intermoto Czech Honda, partly due to a technical problem at a key time. Times: 1. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1’39.437 (152,997 km/h); 2. Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1’39.555; 3. Tamburini R. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’39.869; 4. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1’39.919; 5. Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1’40.048; 6. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’40.126; 7. Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1’40.243; 8. Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1’40.622; Superstock 1000 Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia STK) headed an impressive list of 30 riders in the first timed Superstock session at Misano, setting a best time of 1’39.997 in warm and dry conditions. Second on his CBR was Andrea Antonelli (Team Lorini Honda), followed by another Honda rider, Maxime Berger (Team Ten Kate Junior). Very close behind Berger, Lorenzo Baroni (Ducati Pata B&G) was the first twin-cylinder competitor on show, with Antonelli’s team-mate Eddi La Marra fifth fastest, at the first time of asking. Michele Magnoni (Team Shiner Honda) was sixth. Times: 1.Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 1’39.997 (152,141 km/h); 2. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1’40.459; 3. Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1’40.751; 4. Baroni L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’40.767; 5. La Marra E. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1’40.924; 6. Magnoni M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1’41.045; 7. Lussiana M. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 1’41.315; 8. Bussolotti M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1’41.502; Superstock 600 Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha) was the only one of the Superstock 600 riders in the 1’42 bracket today at Misano, and thus took provisional pole. Second was Florian Marino (Ten Kate Honda Junior) ahead of Davide Fanelli (All Service System by QDP Honda) and wildcard Riccardo Russo (Bike e Motor Racing Team Yamaha). Cyril Carrillo (Team ASPI Yamaha) was an early top five man, another wildcard Leandro Dennis Mercado (BWG Racing Kawasaki) just in the top six. Times: 1.Guarnoni J. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’42.730 (148,093 km/h); 2. Marino F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1’43.118; 3.Fanelli D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1’43.312; 4. Russo R. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’43.493; 5. Carrillo C. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’43.609; 6. Mercado L. (ARG) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’43.772; 7. Calero Perez N. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1’43.923; 8. Major N. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1’44.068; More, from a press release issued by Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: Jonathan Rea and Max Neukirchner endured two tough sessions in today’s openers for Sunday’s two eighth round World Superbike championship races at Misano in Italy as Britain’s Cal Crutchlow set the provisional pole time. In 30+ degree temperatures this afternoon, the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda riders both suffered from handling issues in trying to set up their Honda CBR1000RR machines for Misano’s 4.226km blend of fast sweepers and slower hairpins. Rea, who took his debut Superbike victory here last season, finished this afternoon’s first qualifying session in an unfamiliar 16th place, as Neukirchner also struggled, setting the 18th fastest lap time. A two-day test at Assen last week demonstrated some progress, but not enough to battle today with the championship’s leading riders, most of whom have tested at Misano recently. Jonathan Rea P16 We seem to have been suffering the same problem, but we’ve not been able to fix it and it’s becoming quite frustrating to deal with. I’m keeping my spirits up because I know I have the speed inside me and I’ll just have to be patient until we can find a setting that I’m able to use to push the bike hard. To say I’m disappointed with today’s results is an understatement, but everyone else has managed to pick up a level at the circuit where we know the bike was good last year. We actually tried last year’s settings this afternoon and the bike turned faster but the chatter was still there. We’ll just have to hope for something better tomorrow. Max Neukirchner P18 This morning in free practice we tried some new things and felt we made a bit of a step forward, but we weren’t able to maintain that this afternoon. The track got quite slippery in the qualifying session, but it was the same for everyone, so that’s no excuse. The chatter definitely felt worse in the faster turns, so we’ll just have to sit down later, go through everything again, and see if we can find a solution that works better in the morning. Ronald ten Kate team manager We always knew that today was going to be tough because we didn’t test here like a lot of the other teams. But today actually went way beyond our expectations. We really need to resolve this chatter issue, so it’s going to be a long night for a lot of the guys for sure. We’ll try to shape up and improve things in the morning but we already know, from last year’s race, what Jonathan is capable of. We’ll have to push the right buttons for tomorrow. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Alstare: LEON SATISFIED WITH THIRD ON DAY ONE Team Suzuki Alstare rider Leon Haslam ended the first day of qualifying at Misano with the third quickest lap and is ready to fight for a front row grid spot tomorrow. His team mate Sylvain Guintoli did not have such a good day though. He finished 12th quickest, but was unhappy with his performance, particularly in this afternoon’s timed qualifying. Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) ended the day fastest, half a second or so ahead of Troy Corser (BMW), with Leon third and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) fourth. Leon – 3rd, 1:36.365 I’m pretty happy with how today went and I know that there’s more to come. The recent tests gave us some good directions to work on and that’s what we did today. The track felt very slippery and dirty this morning and when I got back to the pits the bike looked as if it had been on a motorcross track! If you got off line you could easily get into trouble. The track was better in the afternoon and I’m sure that it will get better over the weekend. We’ve got some new spec forks here and we’ve been working with them and trying to find a good balance for the bike – just like normal. At the moment I feel that they are not as good on the brakes, but better off the brakes, so we still have some work to do. It’s just a matter of understanding them and getting them dialled in. It’s going to be a tough weekend and the races are going to be real battles, but that’s the kind of racing I like! Sylvain -12th, 1:37.314 I’m not at all happy with how today went and I feel that really it’s me that has to improve. At the recent tests we had some tyres that I got on really well with, but today we had some new tyres and I just could not get on with them in the same way. Obviously some riders get on very well with them, but not me today. So, I think it is probably my problem and me and the team will have to deal with it. We have got some of the other tyres, but not enough for every session and race, so maybe I will try and spare some during the weekend and use something that will make me happy. It’s a bit of a guessing game at the moment, but hopefully tomorrow will be better. More, from a press release issued by Althea Racing: Misano Adriatico, June 25th 2010 – A busy day for the Althea Racing team that spent the first qualifying session preparing the bike ahead of tomorrow’s sessions, when concentration will turn to identifying the best possible set up. The work, however, did not prevent Carlos Checa from recording the fifth fastest time of the session, less than half a second from provisional polesitter Cal Crutchlow. “We worked a lot with the used tyres”, said Carlos, “before putting on a new one and I think the low 1’37 that I recorded was more than satisfactory. I could perhaps have improved further but Parkes inadvertently held me up when I was on a fast lap. The track seems to be getting better and I think by tomorrow it will be perfect.” Shane Byrne is not far behind, having registered the seventh fastest time. “It was a busy day for us, and tomorrow we’ll be concentrating on setting the times. Being inside the top ten gives me confidence ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying.” Genesio Bevilacqua, General Manager of Althea Racing, declared: “We’re satisfied with how today has gone because although we were concentrating on bike set ups we were also able to record times, both with used and race tyres, that put us well inside the top ten. Tomorrow we’ll focus on performance, pushing for the best possible grid positions.” The Superbike programme continues Tomorrow, Saturday, with the second qualifying session at 10.45, before the Superpole kicks off at 15.00. Sunday morning’s warm-up takes place at 9.20 while race 1 commences at 12.00 and Race 2 at 15.30, both races are 24 laps in length, equal to 101,424km. The official Superbike lap record at Misano was set by Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) in 2009 in 1m37.135 at an average of 156.620 km/h, while Jakub Smrz set a 1m35.435 (average 159.410 km/h) in practice in 2009. More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport: Weather conditions: Hot, sunny. Temperature: Air: 32 – 36 °C, Track: 46 °C Number of riders participating: 23 from 14 teams Fastest lap Free Practice: Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 1:37.362 min Fastest lap Qualifying Practice 1: Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) 1:36.288 min Programme: After an extensive testing programme in the last weeks, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport had a good start to what is expected to become one of the hottest race weekends of the 2010 Superbike World Championship season. Troy Corser (AUS) finished second in Friday’s Qualifying Practice in Misano, less than a tenth of a second off Cal Crutchlow’s time. Ruben Xaus (ESP) qualified 15th. Troy Corser: Bike: BMW S 1000 RR Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:37.362 min (1st ) / Fastest lap Qualifying 1: 1:36.344 min (2nd) “The track is completely different to how it was last week. The circuit management resurfaced Quercia corner. Quercia was quite bumpy before, now the corner has not a lot of grip, but is still bumpy. Nevertheless, today was pretty good. We have the bike pretty similar to how we had it during the test. I did not want to change too much on the bike when the track is completely different. Tomorrow we will try some solutions to get more grip. I am a little disappointed I crashed today. We tested a new front brake master cylinder and lever. I grabbed the brake and simply overbraked the bike. The new brake feels better, but I simply need more time.” Ruben Xaus: Bike: BMW S 1000 RR Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:38.214 min (10th) / Fastest lap Qualifying 1: 1:37.461 min (15th) “We tested here in Misano last week. Unfortunately we had to finish our test early due to some mechanical problems. Therefore I am simply missing some time. We went into today’s sessions with a new engine spec, and the bike feels completely different again. I am struggling with the bike’s gearbox settings. So far, we have used a gearbox with a neutral between first and second gear, and I sometimes miss the first gear. We will now change the gearbox. Tomorrow, I want to go out on the track and have fun riding the bike. I am always quick when I enjoy riding.” Davide Tardozzi (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team Manager): “Today was not too bad – especially for Troy. He was first in today’s Free Practice session, and finished the first Qualifying Practice second, only six hundredths of a second off Cal. This is a really good result. I am happy we now understand why Ruben is having difficulties. He is not happy with the gearbox. I am confident we can sort that out for tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by Team PATA/B&G Racing: Last year, Jakub Smrz took pole position at Misano. This year, the rider from the Czech Republic finished eleventh, nine tenths of a second behind the fastest time, after trying a few solutions regarding the bike’s geometry. The practice session was crucial in order to allow Smrz to make a step forward setup wise tomorrow. Lorenzo Baroni put in another great performance in Superstock 1000. The Italian, after finishing fifth in the first practice session, set the fourth fastest time, which places him in provisional front row. JAKUB SMRZ | Ducati 1098R | 11th in 1’37.189: “I couldn’t find the best feeling with the bike and the track. I wasn’t very comfortable with the front end when entering the corner. We did however find a good base setup and we’ll work on improving my feeling with the front end tomorrow. I’m sure I can improve and the front runners are not very far away and so I’m confident we can do well”. LORENZO BARONI | Ducati 1098R | 4th in 1’40.767: “I’m happy I started the weekend in good shape. I really want to do well on home ground and I’ll do my best to repeat the performance tomorrow. We’ve got a good setup now so I’ll focus on preparing for the race”. More, from a press release issued by Aprilia: The Aprilia Alitalia Racing team takes advantage of the first day of practice on the Misano track to gain familiarity. Max Biaggi and Leon Camier are confident for the weekend. Misano Adriatico, 25 June 2010 – In the second Italian World Superbike round the Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team wants to do well for the hundreds of fans who have turned out for the occasion. The tests on Friday, as usual, are dedicated to the search for the best feeling with the track without any particular attention given to the stopwatch. Nonetheless, both Max Biaggi and Leon Camier made respectable times on a track which last year turned out not to be very favourable for the characteristics of the Aprilia RSV4. The “Corsair” placed sixth with a time of 1’36.793, while Leon Camier ended the second session in ninth place at 1’37.048. “It was a rather intense Friday” Max Biaggi commented. “We are trying different solutions on both bikes. We are doing this because we think that there is room for improvement. Unfortunately, because of the dirty track today, we found conditions which were quite different than those we had in our tests last week. Grip was often a problem and only in the end, after our tests and the tests of other categories, were we able to get close to test times. Standings are quite tight, anyway, with the first ten all within less than a second of one another. We still have some things to work out and then it will be a matter of putting together all of our impressions and making sure we’re ready for the superpole session”. “I am decidedly pleased with how this Friday of tests has gone, especially if we consider how it started out” – comments Leon Camier, – “This morning the track conditions weren’t perfect and we lost a bit of time testing some modifications to the setup which turned out to be counterproductive. In the afternoon we wisely backtracked, following the indications from the tests we did here last week and things got significantly better. The track, looking at the results from last year, isn’t exactly ideal for our bike, but the work we are doing makes me optimistic for tomorrow and Sunday. Every Italian race is particularly heartfelt by the Aprilia team, the fans and the sponsor. A lot of people have come out to watch us so I hope that I can do well for them”. More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: TROY SECOND, BY A WHISKER Having set the fastest lap in the morning practice, Troy then finished second quickest in the first qualifying session this afternoon at Misano. Troy ended the day happy, despite a small crash this afternoon, and is now looking forward to grabbing a front row grid spot in tomorrow’s Superpole. Briton Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) ended the day fastest, half a second or so ahead of Troy. Third quickest was Leon Haslam (Suzuki), with Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) fourth. Troy – 2nd I’m pretty happy with today and the crash was just a slow speed tip off when I got caught out a little. I was using a new front master cylinder and with this one I don’t have to grab the brakes so hard. But, I must have grabbed a bit too hard, went off line and fell off. The track is very slippery and dirty and once you get off line, you can get into trouble and that’s what happened. But I didn’t hurt myself at all and there were no big problems with the bike. Recently we’ve been struggling with grip but a new rear link has improved matters quite a bit and I’m happier now. It’s something that I’ve wanted to try for some time, but it’s been difficult to try it during a race weekend. Also, we had a nice new, fresh engine and it’s working well and feels strong. Misano is a tough track and we always have great battles here and I can see it’s going to be the same tomorrow and raceday. I don’t think anybody is going to get away from the rest of the riders and both races are going to be big fights and that is great for the fans.