Rain dampens World Superbike qualifying

From worldsbk.com

The first World Superbike qualifying session at Magny-Cours lasted just 17 minutes on Friday, after which rain lashed the French circuit and no rider ventured out onto the track again.

On the damp surface the quickest time went to Vallelunga double winner Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB), just a fraction ahead of championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox). The provisional front row was completed by Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who tested here last week, and Fonsi Nieto (Alstare), the first Suzuki rider on the timesheets.

Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB) headed row 2, along with the Italian pairing of Roberto Rolfo (Honda Althea), on a positive end-of-season run, and Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati RG), who won here in 2005.

Tenth quickest time went to Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki), while Max Biaggi concluded the session in 13th place, two slots ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox).

It was an exciting end to Supersport first qualifying as at least seven riders were on their quickest laps after the first split, but in the end the provisional pole went to Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), the only rider to dip below the 1 minute 43 second mark.

Rea edged out Yamaha World Supersport's Broc Parkes by less than two-tenths. Third quickest time went to Dutchman Barry Veneman (RES Software Suzuki), with Frenchman Mattheiu Lagrive (Intermoto Czech Honda) completing the overnight front row.

It was a good performance once again by Joan Lascorz (Glaner Motocard.com Honda), the Spaniard in fifth ahead of championship leader Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who crashed on his quick lap.

Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport) returned to the action after his Brno crash and subsequent injury, but the Frenchman lapped carefully and ended the session in 26th place.

Xavier Simeon (Suzuki Alstare) continued where he left off at the last round, the Belgian rider setting quickest time in first qualifying for the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup. Simeon was in terrific form, ending the session well over a second quicker than his rivals, headed by Alessandro Polita (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati).

Third was championship leader Brendan Roberts (Ducati Xerox Junior Team), while fourth quickest time went to Michele Magnoni (Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni). French title contender Maxime Berger (Hannspree IDS Ten Kate Honda) had a difficult day down in 21st position.

Dan Linfoot (StoneBaker Yamaha) and Marco Bussolotti (Yamaha Motor Italia Junior Team) had a terrific battle in first qualifying for European 600 Superstock, both riders exchanging fastest laps throughout the session.

The British rider took the provisional pole, just two-tenths quicker than his Italian rival. The overnight front row also includes Alexander Lowes (O Six Kawasaki) and the championship leader, French youngster Loris Baz (YZF Yamaha Junior Team).

Superbike Times
1. Haga N. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:41.012
2. Bayliss T. (AUS) Ducati 1098 F08 1:41.020
3. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1:41.130
4. Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.513
5. Corser T. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:41.515
6. Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1:41.681
7. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 1:41.783
8. Xaus R. (ESP) Ducati 1098 RS 08 1:41.885
9. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.892
10. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.900
11. Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:41.936
12. Gimbert S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:41.963
13. Biaggi M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 1:42.410
14. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:42.683
15. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 F08 1:42.704
16. Lavilla G. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1:42.737