Checa opens new season on top

From worldsbk.com

Results of first qualifying for the opening round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island on Friday saw Carlos Checa (Ducati Althea Racing) stake his claim as favourite for the Superbike wins on Sunday.

The Spaniard stopped the clocks with a time of 1 minute 31.577 seconds around the Australian track, a tenth quicker than his free practice time of the morning.

Another man on the move was Sylvain Guintoli (Ducati Effenbert - Liberty Racing), the Frenchman doing exceptionally well to come within three-tenths of Checa.

An impressive sub-1:32 time was set by Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team), who had the satisfaction of finishing ahead of 2010 World Champion Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) in fourth.

Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) had a harmless crash towards the end and finished seventh, while Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) also finished in the gravel, ending up 12th.

Quickest time in the first Supersport qualifying session was recorded by former champion Fabien Foret (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda). The Fast Frenchman had to work for it however as right until the last minute the timesheets were headed by the young Spanish rider David Salom (Kawasaki Motocard.com).

Another up-and-coming youngster, 20-year-old Sam Lowes (Parkalgar Honda) went third quickest ahead of fellow Brit Chaz Davies, who is now getting to grips with his Yamaha ParkinGO machine.

Superbike Qualifying Results (Top 15)
(courtesy Yamaha Racing)
1. Carlos Checa (Ducati) ESP 1:31.577
2. Sylvain Guintoli (Ducati) FRA 1:31.850
3. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha) GBR 1:31.969
4. Max Biaggi (Aprilia) ITA 1:32.009
5. Jakub Smrz (Ducati) CZE 1:32.066
6. Leon Haslam (BMW) GBR 1:32.082
7. Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki) ITA 1:32.108
8. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki) ESP 1:32.163
9. Jonathan Rea (Honda) GBR 1:32.424
10. Josh Waters (Suzuki) AUS 1:32.690
11. Troy Corser (BMW) AUS 1:32.699
12. Marco Melandri (Yamaha) ITA 1:32.700
13. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) GBR 1:32.705
14. Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia) JPN 1:33.058
15. James Toseland (BMW) GBR 1:33.074