Submitted by Jared Earle on
This year, only 15 riders qualify for Superpole with three eliminated after the first of the three sessions. This is due to the switch to MotoGP-like three bike wide grids. There are three twelve minute sessions with three riders eliminated after each of the sessions with the last session determining the grid positions for the first three rows. As it was last year, each rider gets two Pirelli qualifying tyres to use across the three sessions.
Tom Sykes outright dominated qualification last year, but with a fractured wrist, it would be impressive if he were to carry on that record. He was quickest in the first session where Max Neukirchner, wildcard Jamie Stauffer and Ivan Clementi didn't qualify for the second session and will start from the fifth grid.
The second session was topped by Eugene Laverty ahead of Sykes, while Davide Giugliano, Loris Baz and Chaz Davies were eliminated from Superpole three. Leon Haslam very nearly missed out on qualifying but was able to sneak a fast lap in after the flag was out.
For a while, it looked like Sykes would grab another pole position, but Carlos Checa was able to get the Ducati Panigale pole position on its first outing. The Aprilias of Eugene Laverty and Michel Fabrizio completed the first row ahead of Sykes, Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli. Leon Camier, Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea, who struggled with the qualifiers, were on the third row.
Results:
Comments
WSBK times Vs MotoGP
Are the WSBK bikes running the same distance as the MotoGP bikes? Does the new asphalt, however low friction it offers, responsible for the incredible time of Checa?
He would start 3rd in the last MotoGP race with a time like this, behind only Stoner and Lorenzo.
Is there something completely wrong with the prototypes? How castrated are they really? An article on the potential of those bikes without the numerous restrictions (mainly in fuelling) would be interesting.
Sad day for Nakamoto et al. Millions upon millions for much better hardware and software... to what end?
car-side cash, millions = pocket change
re: "Sad day for Nakamoto et al. Millions upon millions for much better hardware and software... to what end?"
world domination...? asimo computes what i'm talkin' 'bout. right now he's strategizing with this fellow terminators over encrypted data link. we won't know what hit us till it's over.
Why?
Why are the other Ducatis so far of the pace? Checa seems on top of his game still!
q&a vs. t&a
Q: Why are the other Ducatis so far of the pace?
A: extra displacement is not an advantage make.
WSB VS GP
The supers have always been close at PI. The flowing nature not stop start make it very close.
Even the Aus super that are essentially super stock would qualify ahead of some of the gp bikes.
The new track surface would also have something to do with it. Let see come Oct.
Ducati Panigale 1199 likes Pirelli not Bridgestone?
Ducati Panigale 1199 likes Pirelli not Bridgestone? Why have they dominated so many times in WSBK, compared to their track record in MOTOGP? Is all of this development work hinged completely on what rubber they are allowed to use? Thoughts?...
the short answer
re: "Why have they dominated so many times in WSBK, compared to their track record in MOTOGP?"
historically, honda and yamaha haven't thrown significant resources at WSBK. MotoGP otoh...? they're all in.
Looks like this.....
...... this was a great superpole.
WSB bikes beating MotoGP bikes & WSS 600's beating 1000's!
Great stuff.