2009 Portimao World Superbike QP1 Results - Rea On Provisional Pole

Johnny Rea is on provisional pole for Sunday's final round of the World Superbike championship at Portimao, after a last-minute surge saw the Ulsterman shoot ahead of Jakub Smrz. Smrz had led for a large part of the session, but the final minutes of qualifying saw a big group of riders suddenly making serious improvement. Ben Spies was among their number, setting the 3rd fastest time on his last lap, and leaping up from behind his title rival Noriyuki Haga. Carlos Checa was another last-minute lapper, taking the final place on the front row alongside Spies.

The late burst of speed pushed Noriyuki Haga down onto a provisional 3rd row, the Xerox Ducati man setting the 9th fastest time. Even worse, Haga was nearly four tenths of a second off Spies' time, and nearly half a second off Rea's provisional pole. The second session of free practice takes place tomorrow morning, at which time the final 20 riders will be selected who will participate in Superpole.

Results: