Spies takes provisional pole

From the World Superbike Championship

Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) powered to the provisional pole at the end of the first day of World Superbike action at Assen on Friday.

The Texan, a total newcomer to the Dutch track, set an impressive time of 1 minute 38.747 seconds, four-tenths of a second away from last year’s record time of Troy Bayliss in qualifying, but which was obtained on qualifying tires. Spies was the only rider to dip under the 1:39 mark, but the session was a hard-fought affair as behind the Yamaha there were 15 riders in the space of one second.

Second time of the day went to Jakub Smrz (Ducati Guandalini), a fraction ahead of the four-cylinder machines of Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki Alstare) and Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda).

Fifth place went to Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), the first Italian in the standings, while a convincing Regis Laconi (Ducati DFX) and the other Suzuki Alstare machine of Max Neukirchner, together with Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) make up the provisional second row.

Troy Corser put in another positive performance on his BMW S1000 RR to take the 11th quickest slot, one position in front of the championship leader Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), who lapped in a good race pace.

Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike) crashed out towards the end of the session, while Assen proved to be an unfortunate circuit once again for John Hopkins (Stiggy Racing Honda), who crashed heavily in the morning’s free practice session. The American dislocated his left hip in the crash and will miss the race. Tomorrow a decision will be taken on any eventual further measures and  how long he needs for recovery.

Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) was quickest off the mark in Supersport Friday. Following the disappointment of Valencia, the Spanish rider gave further confirmation of his prowess and progress in the Netherlands as he powered to a time of 1:41.650 in free practice.

The only other rider close to Lascorz was Valencia winner Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport), two-tenths off the pole pace. The front row was completed by rapidly-improving Italian Michele Pirro (Yamaha Lorenzini) and Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda).

Row two went to Australian Garry McCoy with the first Be1 Racing Triumph, with Anthony West (Stiggy Racing Honda), Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Dutch rider Barry Veneman (Hoegee Suzuki) alongside.

Defending champion and Assen race winner Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) could only manage the ninth quickest time.

The opening Superstock 1000 session was dominated by Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Honda). On his team’s home track, the Frenchman was immediately on the pace, setting a 1:42.775. Belgium’s Vincent Lonbois (MTM Racing Yamaha) set the fastest time of the day in 1:45.039 in the Superstock 600 free practice session.

Superbike Qualifying Results
1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:38.747
2. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R  1:39.055
3. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.128
4. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1:39.141
5. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:39.238
6. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1:39.246
7. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.265
8. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:39.359
9. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1:39.506
10. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:39.585
11. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1:39.597
12. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1:39.621
13. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1:39.784
14. Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.897
15. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:39.899
16. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1:39.934