WORLDSBK.COM - bis 15.08.2010

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) won his third race in succession today, outpacing pole man Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) and Davide Giugliano (Team 06 Suzuki).

Michele Magnoni (SCI Honda Garvie Image) was fourth in the race, a second up on Sylvain Barrier (BMW Garnier) after Loris Baz (MRS Yamaha) fell late in the race.

After three rounds, Badovini now has 75 points, Giugliano 45, with Berger and Barrier on 40 points each.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 35'38.483 (168,216 kph)

2 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1.106

3 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1.249

4 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1.548

5 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 2.738

6 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 2.813

7 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 6.296

8 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 12.022

9 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 12.146

10 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 19.753

11 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 22.204

12 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 22.282

13 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 22.780

14 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 23.364

15 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 37.097

16 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 39.467

17 77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 46.468

18 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 57.170

19 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'01.634

20 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'04.295

RET 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR

RET 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) won a close race at Assen with two strong laps right at the end, finishing one second ahead of fellow Britons James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). This was Camier's first SBK podium finish.

Slow-starting Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) was a good fourth, with the BMW of Troy Corser fifth, having led for half the race. Leon Haslam, the championship leader, struggled to 11th. Suzuki, Ducati, Aprilia and now Honda machines have all won races in WSB so far this year.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 34'45.753 (164,629 kph)

2 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2.796

3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 2.962

4 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 23.040

5 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 26.338

6 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 32.544

7 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 36.591

8 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 36.697

9 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 36.879

10 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 47.288

11 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 48.168

12 40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 49.006

13 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'28.408

14 8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.505

15 33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR

16 10 Toth I. (HUN) Honda CBR600RR

RET 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R

RET 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675

RET 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) made it two wins in consecutive seasons at Assen, and he also won his second race of 2010 today.

In second place, Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) now leads the title battle on 85 points, with third place finisher at Assen, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), second in the series on 77 points.

Laverty is now third overall, on 66 points, with nine races to go. Chaz Davies took his Triumph ParkinGO BE1 machine to fourth place, ahead of Matthieu Lagrive's similar bike.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 28 Vos A. (NED) Street Triple R 16'07.386 (152,122 kph)

2 43 Perotti F. (ITA) Street Triple R 3.785

3 77 Torcolacci A. (ITA) Street Triple R 12.394

4 25 Salom T. (ESP) Street Triple R 13.736

5 47 Zenatello F. (ITA) Street Triple R 14.449

6 23 Rovelli G. (ITA) Street Triple R 14.547

7 33 Marzotto M. (ITA) Street Triple R 34.669

8 84 De Nardi S. (ITA) Street Triple R 45.462

9 73 Rovelli P. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'22.766

10 7 Blumetti P. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'23.058

11 19 Nicastro C. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'24.238

12 9 Annoni E. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'49.689

13 93 Mariage F. (FRA) Street Triple R 1'49.840

14 1 Anaclerio R. (ITA) Street Triple R

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1  65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 35'43.137 (167,85 kph) 

2  91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1.942 

3  52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 3.928 

4   3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 4.067 

5  11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 4.176 

6   7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 4.525 

7  96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 4.682 

8  67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 7.698 

9  76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 9.903 

10 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 11.465 

11  99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 15.489 

12  84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 23.604 

13  50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 29.085 

14  77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 35.401 

15  15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 44.330 

16  95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 50.830 

17  23 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 58.819 

RET   2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.  

RET  35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1  

RET  41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R  

RET  57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 

RET  66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

The last double win for Honda happened in the UK in 2008 but today a British rider, Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate) took a double for Honda in the Netherlands, after winning race two by 1.942 seconds.

Third was James Toseland to give the second all British podium of the day.

Max Biaggi was a strong fourth, Troy Corser fifth, after another classic race at the classic circuit of Assen.

In the points Haslam now has 148, Biaggi 128, Rea 110 and Carlos Checa 103.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Round two of the ParkinGO European Series went to Dutch rider Arie Vos, who beat Perotti and Torcolacci after a spectacular race with six riders fighting for victory. Right from the start, the three riders who finished on the podium, together with Salom, Zenatello and Rovelli built up a gap between themselves and the rest of the group. It was a tough battle from that moment until lap 5, when the race standings changed several times, until Vos and Perotti upped their the pace, finishing the race in that order. However, the battle for third continued until the end of the race and it was Torcolacci who took the podium.

Former AS Roma and Celtic Glasgow footballer Enrico "Tarzan" Annoni made his debut in the ParkinGO Series, finishing twelfth.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

The venerable Assen circuit has seen many moments of drama but the latest 4.542km version delivered two Superbike World Championship races today that were right up there with the very best. The local fans enjoyed two partial home wins as well, as Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea was victorious in each 22-lap race, riding for a squad based in the Netherlands. He had to work hard on a sunny afternoon in Holland to make sure he headed up two podiums ceremonies that featured British riders in each and every place for the first time since 2003.

RACE ONE: Rea won a close opening race at Assen with two strong laps right at the end, finishing one second ahead of fellow Britons James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). This was Camier's first SBK podium finish, and it was memorable one. Slow-starting Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) was a good fourth, with the BMW of Troy Corser fifth, having led for much of the race. Leon Haslam (Alstare Suzuki), the championship leader, struggled to 11th with a partial puncture. Suzuki, Ducati, Aprilia and now Honda machines have all won races in WSB so far this year.

RACE TWO: The last double win for Honda happened in the UK in 2008 but today Jonathan Rea took a double on his CBR1000RR in the Netherlands, by winning race two by 1.942 seconds. The extent of his final victory did not do justice to the second combative race of the day, with the top six or seven riders frequently riding and fighting as one. Haslam overcame his race one troubles to go second. Third was James Toseland to give the second all British podium of the day. Max Biaggi was a strong fourth, Troy Corser fifth, after another classic race at the classic circuit of Assen. Sixth came Phillip Island race winner Carlos Checa on his Althea Ducati, only just ahead of another Ducati privateer, Pata B&G racing rider Jakub Smrz.

Jonathan Rea: "It has been great and I could not have done this without my team. They gave me a fantastic bike. We changed the balance of the bike for this weekend and made it more comfortable. Both races are probably the smartest races I have ever ridden. I never got frustrated in traffic and when it was time to pull the pin I did. I am really happy with the double. It was a clean sweep, so I am proud as punch and I cannot wait to take this result on. I will savour the moment."

James Toseland: "To come from tenth on the grid to take a second and a third was a great result for the team and myself. It has been coming slowly but it was nice to get two consistent podium results. I said before the season started there could be some British 1-2-3 results, and there are a lot of British riders out there. But we are all running up the front and doing a fantastic job, so we deserve to be there. It is great for the fans in the UK and I am sure we are all looking forward to Silverstone."

Leon Camier: "It was a bit hotter today than the previous days so we were moving around a bit, but it was awesome to get a result for Aprilia. They have put a lot of effort into me, and good faith. It is gradually coming together, and now we are getting some good results."

Leon Haslam: "Race one was definitely the hardest race I have ever had, battling against a puncture, bit it is just one of those things. To get back on the podium in race two was great. I had a really great battle with Johnny and it was really good. There was a bit of argy-bargy out there and it was disappointing not to challenge in the last couple of laps. But, my second place extended my championship lead again, so it's all good."

HASLAM EXTENDS ADVANTAGE AS REA MOVES UP: In the points table Haslam now has 148, Biaggi 128, Rea 110 and Carlos Checa 103. Rea doubled his career win total to four today, and in going third overall renewed a championship challenge that was waning after some recent disappointing results. Rea left Assen with the Superpole win, the new lap record of 1'36.312 (set in race two) and two wins. He now has his sights firmly set on Monza for the next round, on May 9.

BMW JOIN THE PARTY FOR REAL: Troy Corser could not quite get to the fourth place he scored in Valencia at the previous round but this weekend's two fifth places were even more impressive rides, particularly when added to the fact that Corser topped combined qualifying, and was third fastest in Superpole on Saturday. Corser is now overall seventh, on 68 points. Ruben Xaus fell in race one but got a top ten in race two on the other factory BMW.

HAGA AND FABRIZIO TOIL IN THE SUN: A troubled time for the official Ducati team continued at Assen, as Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) retired in race two, and was only 11th in race one. His team-mate Michel Fabrizio scored in each race, 13th and 12th respectively. Checa was the highest placed Ducati rider today, fourth in the opener.

World Supersport

Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) made it two wins in consecutive seasons at Assen, as he also won his second race of 2010 today. In second place today, Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) now leads the title battle on 85 points, with third place finisher at Assen, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), second in the series on 77 points. Laverty is now third overall, on 66 points, with nine races to go. Chaz Davies took his Triumph ParkinGO BE1 machine to fourth place, ahead of Matthieu Lagrive's similar bike. Davies is not top Daytona 675 rider overall, fourth on 46 points.

Superstock 1000

Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) won his third race in succession today, outpacing pole man Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) and Davide Giugliano (Team 06 Suzuki). Three podium places occupied by three different makes of machinery. Michele Magnoni (SCI Honda Garvie Image) was fourth in the race, a second up on Sylvain Barrier (BMW Garnier) after Loris Baz (MRS Yamaha) fell late in the race. After three rounds, Badovini now has 75 points, Giugliano 45, with Berger and Barrier on 40 points each.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

The Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team from Japan are gearing up for the start of their three-race participation in this year's Superbike World Championship after rescheduling their debut for Monza instead of Assen with Yukio Kagayama on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 machine.

A release issued by the Japanese parts and tuning company revealed that Yoshimura were "proud to join the WSBK grid which promises fierce competition together with major motorcycle manufacturers and their factory and private teams." They aim to "challenge the tough competition of the factory teams with strong confidence in order to achieve our primary aim and would like to provide our machine and parts developed during WSBK activities, as inexpensive as possible, to those who participate in WSBK with a Suzuki motorcycle, and through the support of privateer teams by offering availability of Yoshimura parts."

The Yoshimura Suzuki machine that will be present at Monza is a modified version of the 2009 Suzuka 8 Hours winning machine adapted to WSBK regulations. "We are confident that the engine, the machine weight and total balance are competitive enough for the Yoshimura idea and passion in WSBK challenge," continued the note. "We will participate with Yukio Kagayama as first race to enter the WSBK, and also the final round in Magny-Cours in October also with Kagayama. His experiences in these courses and WSBK will show the high performance. Then we enter the race at Imola in September with Daisaku Sakai. It is going to be his first race at WSBK, however his experiences of Suzuka 8H and Suzuka GP250 wild card entrant should help him."

Yoshimura's history dates back to 1954 when Hideo ‘Pops' Yoshimura founded the predecessor of ‘Yoshimura Japan' with the name of ‘Yoshimura Motors.' They won the first edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race in 1978 and followed that up with another win in 1980, while in 1988 the legendary Kevin Schwantz won the equally legendary Daytona 200 Mile race in the USA. Company founder Hideo Yoshimura died at the age of seventy-three in 1995, while two more wins at Suzuka came in 2007 and 2009. Yoshimura Suzuki have decided to abandon the All-Japan Superbike Championship this year to make first contact with World Superbike in view of full-time participation in 2011.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

It has not been an easy return to the Superbike Championship in 2010 for James Toseland, but for the second race weekend in succession Toseland showed all his class and combativeness to turn a disappointing qualifying position into two strong results. The Yamaha Sterilgarda rider had the unenviable job of replacing the whirlwind that was Ben Spies in WSBK guise, and that proved more difficult than anyone could have imagined when improvements to the official R1 in the winter were initially a retrograde step.

But after hard work from team and rider, Toseland now has a package he can really race, even if qualifying is still proving difficult. So far in the first four rounds Toseland has been eighth, 15th, ninth and tenth on the starting grids, but his race results (after a disastrous first round affected by falls and injury) have been seventh, sixth, third, seventh, second and third. The end result for Toseland is that he is currently ranked fifth overall, and with a factory machine and 18 points scoring races left, who knows where he can move up to by the end of the season?

Toseland said after his double podium at Assen. "We've had another tough weekend, especially Friday and Saturday, but we've pulled through. Once again the team has worked fantastically well, especially this morning, we had a new linkage system on the rear end just to try and sort some issues and it seems to have worked. It's been a long weekend but to come from tenth on the grid and get a second and a third, two podiums is just a great result for me and the team. It's been coming slowly, we've come from far behind in the first two races so it's fantastic to be up there at the front and fighting. There are a lot of Brits out there, and we're all racing at the front and doing a great job, everybody deserves to be in it. I've had great support from my family and friends and want to thank everyone for supporting me in getting back to where I should be."

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) may have been unable to get the better of some of the 14 officially supported machines at Assen last weekend, and may even have lost third place in the overall rankings to double race winner Rea, but the Spanish veteran was a strong fourth and sixth in the races, at a circuit which may not have been the best for his particular machine.

He still enjoyed himself, as his post-race comments outlined. "It was great to see Race 2 from my position!" he said, continuing, "unfortunately there was an obvious difference in acceleration between us and the four cylinders and we weren't 100% there with regard to the rideability of the bike."

Checa's machine was not the fastest on the weekend, as the lap charts and top speed figures show, but rider, machine and privateer team are putting up a great fight in a season crammed with potential winners.

No rider is ever happy with anything less than a win, but Checa has been around long enough to know that there will be many more opportunities at tracks that will suit his machine more closely. "The overall balance was not bad when you look at my results," affirmed Carlos. "We have a good package but we are lacking acceleration and speed compared to the four cylinders. I couldn't do more than I did but I'm still fourth in the standings, in what will be a long championship."

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Formed at the start of the year from two previous WSBK Ducati privateer squads, the Pata B&G Racing team has a lot of combined experience, enough to see Jakub Smrz on the front row at Assen, second only to the all-conquering Jonathan Rea in Superpole.

Two seventh places at Assen were his 2010 season personal bests, and he was in the mix from the very first practice session to raceday last weekend, only losing out in the latter part of each race. In race one he experienced a problem with his gearbox quick-shifter system, while a sudden loss of position halfway through race two put him tenth, leading to a determined fightback.

"I gave it my all, but we didn't have any luck," said Smrz, disappointed but still happy to show his pace at one of his favourite tracks. "I believe I could've battled for the victory in race one, unfortunately the shifter issue caused me to go wide a few times. In race two, after losing a couple of seconds halfway into the race, I gained a few positions back, but I couldn't pass the factory bikes that were in front of me."

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

It was only a few short months ago that Leon Camier was still unsure if he would get a World Superbike ride of any kind, despite his record-breaking British Championship win in 2009. How things have changed, as the tall Englishman from Ashford in Kent has not only landed a factory Aprilia Alitalia ride, he has taken his first WSBK podium at a circuit he has not ridden at for over ten years.

At Assen Camier, 23-years-old, also followed the number one rule in racing - beat your team-mate - by outpacing his team-mate Max Biaggi in qualifying, and then taking third place in race one, when Biaggi was sixth. Even a fall from his machine in race two came while Leon was fighting for his second podium of the day, pushing too aggressively on a less than ideal set-up.

'I'm obviously very pleased with race one because it was my first WSBK podium,' said Camier. 'Unfortunately I lost a lot of time behind Toseland in race two; he was taking strange lines which made him very difficult to overtake. Once in third place I saw the gap with Haslam getting smaller and I wanted to push for it by braking late, but I lost the front and crashed. We'll have to look at the glass as half full: we worked well, growing throughout the weekend.'

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

A two-day test at Misano kicked off with some of the four factory teams present making preparations for the Misano race on June 27th, others tested parts to use in the second part of the season. Aprilia, BMW, Ducati and Yamaha had some of their top riders on track for this test.

In good weather conditions and with soft tyres fitted, Michel Fabrizio took his Ducati Xerox machine to a first day best time of 1'35.9. By comparison, the official track best lap of 1' 35.435 was set in 2009 by Jakub Smrz. "We have fined tuned the settings used to Assen and Michel was very happy with the work we carried out," said Ernesto Marinelli from Ducati Xerox. "A fever of 38° held back Nori, but he has the potential to be that fast as well."

The Yamaha Sterilgarda team was happy about the times put in by its pairing of riders, according to team-boss Maio Meregalli, "The track was very fast, with an ideal temperature and James used the set up from Valencia, testing an evolution on the electronics package. We have worked on the general set up for Cal." Toseland set 69 laps, Crutchlow 87.

"We only concentrated during these tests on some particular details," said Davide Tardozzi from BMW, "without worrying about lap times. Troy Corser often turned 1'37" laps, a best time of 1'36.5. We tried details in the engine, an evolution of the electronics and something new in the clutch." Corser did 45 laps and was assisted by the official BMW development team.

"We have tried many things," said Francesco Guidotti from Aprilia Alitalia. "As well as looking for a specific race setting for the Misano race, when the temperature went up, we tried a long run with a new specification of engine." Besides Max Biaggi, who did 97 laps, and Leon Camier (95) the Aprilia team also had official test rider Alex Hoffman at the Misano test.

Unofficial lap times (no transponders): 1. Fabrizio (Ducati) 1'35"9; 2. Toseland (Yamaha) 1'36"0; 3. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 1'36"3; 4. Corser (BMW) 1'36"5; 5. Biaggi (Aprilia) 1'36"5; 6. Camier (Aprilia) 1'36"9

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

The Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team wrapped up a successful two day test in Misano on Thursday, fresh from James Toseland's two podiums in Assen. Riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland spent the two days testing further changes to their 2010 R1 race-bikes as they prepare for the next round of the championship at the legendary Monza circuit next week.

Toseland spent the first day focussing on the electronics, and ended the day second fastest on unofficial timing (no transponders) with a 1'36.0, only 0.1 behind the fastest time having completed 69 laps. Team mate Crutchlow was working on a general bike set-up, putting in 87 laps on the first day and ending it just behind Toseland, third fastest with an unofficial time of 1'36.3.

Day two saw Crutchlow working through a different set up to the previous day, finding advantages with each. He finished the second day of testing in third having put in a 1'35.7 lap on race tyres. Team mate Toseland spent the day working on race pace and durability, using a qualifier towards the end to put in a 1'35.6 and take the second fastest slot of the day yet again.

James Toseland: "We've achieved a lot, and ended up second today. Fabrizio did a really good low 35 second lap on a qualifier but I think on race tyres there were definitely consistent 35s to be had for us as well. The fastest race time last year was a 37 so it shows how much everyone has improved, we're 1.3 seconds under the lap record. Misano is definitely suited to the Ducati, it's their strongest track I think, however I did ten laps in the low 36s which is great for race pace and the important thing is we've moved forward on durability for race pace which is key."

Cal Crutchlow: "It's been quite a progressive two days, we've worked through two completely different set ups and found pros and cons to both. I think we've found a clear direction to work in which we now need to fine tune. I was pleased with the pace we had, we were consistently in the top three without using a qualifier tyre, so we're good with race tyres which is important. I have to keep working and hopefully it has put us in a good set for Monza."

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

After the top five riders from the 2009 Superstock 600 European Championship made career moves elsewhere, it was always going to be a fascinating first few races for the youngest riders in the WSBK paddock. The question was simple. Who would fill the power vacuum in this class designed to allow young riders to make a transition from national racing to international competition?

So far Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha, photo)) is leading the race to be the next champion, having taken a podium full set - first at Portimao, third in Spain then second at Assen. Speed and consistency - a good combination. A good start for the French riders has seen Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior) stick in two wins to make up for his first weekend no-score. Fred Karlsen (MTM Racing Yamaha) has dealt himself back into the early running after getting his Valencia points back, his disqualification having been overturned at Assen.

Only 14 points separate those three, while not too far behind Bernardino Lombardi (Martini Corse Yamaha), Federico D'Annunzio (Martini Corse) and Romain Lanusse (MRS Racing Yamaha) are only separated from each other by eight points. Lots more racing to come in this class, and no doubt some new podium challengers, from Monza next time out to the final round in Europe at Magny-Cours in October.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga had differing fortunes in their recent test at Misano, with Fabrizio setting fast times on race and qualifying tyres for two days, but Haga suffering from a debilitating fever. Ducati staff concentrated their efforts on modifications to the 1198 bikes in order to improve feeling and refine set-ups in preparation for the next race at Monza, the weekend of 7th to 9th May. Noriyuki's physical condition unfortunately worsened and after making two exits in the late morning, during which it was evident that his weakness was preventing him from pushing, the Japanese rider decided to finish up early, at lunchtime. Work continued for Michel however, and he spent the afternoon working on race pace and testing some different settings dedicated to the qualifying tyres, to better prepare for the Superpole sessions.

At the end of the tests, the team returned home satisfied with the work achieved. Michel made more than 150 laps over the two days, recording an unofficial time of 1'35.7 with the race tyre, followed by a 1'35.2 on a qualifier, while Noriyuki, unwell, registered a best time yesterday of 1m36.6 on a race tyre.

Ernesto Marinelli, Team Manager, said "We're going through a very difficult phase, perhaps the most difficult that I remember, but the important thing is to react and never give up, and in this respect the whole team is very strong. This test has been very important and the problems regarding lack of feeling - the hardest kind to fix - that both riders were citing at Assen, seem to have been resolved or at least greatly reduced. It's a pity that Noriyuki was affected by the flu, but Michel's solid test is certainly an important base from which to start at Monza, where we'll give 200%."

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

His Royal Highness the Duke of York, KG, UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment was the special guest of the Silverstone circuit on 29 April as the new-look racetrack was officially unveiled in front of 500 guests. The next stages of the circuit's impressive development programme are still ongoing but the layout of the 3.66 mile (5.89 km) circuit is now complete.

Infront Motor Sports CEO Paolo Flammini was also present at the launch of the new circuit, and he will return with the entire WSBK circus for the British round of the series, on Sunday 1 August. Amidst a host of stars from four-wheeled racing, current WSBK leader Leon Haslam joined his father Ron on track to represent the World Superbike class, which will be one of the cornerstones of Silverstone's 2010 race calendar.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 43 Perotti F. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'56.693

2 23 Rovelli G. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'57.344

3 47 Zenatello F. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'58.377

4 44 Mazzina M. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'59.211

5 25 Salom T. (ESP) Street Triple R 2'00.220

6 33 Marzotto M. (ITA) Street Triple R 2'01.736

7 84 De Nardi S. (ITA) Street Triple R 2'02.662

8 19 Nicastro C. (ITA) Street Triple R 2'05.126

9 73 Rovelli P. (ITA) Street Triple R 2'05.518

10 9 Annoni E. (ITA) Street Triple R 2'06.918

11 7 Blumetti P. (ITA) Street Triple R 2'07.732

12 93 Mariage F. (FRA) Street Triple R 2'10.098

13 1 Anaclerio R. (ITA) Street Triple R 2'12.660

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'42.619

2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'42.679

3 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'42.885

4 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'43.141

5 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.156

6 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'43.484

7 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.576

8 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'43.588

9 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'43.621

10 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'43.643

11 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'43.831

12 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.051

13 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.281

14 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'44.295

15 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'44.336

16 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.412

17 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'44.481

18 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'44.615

19 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.799

20 71 Sakai D. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'45.821

21 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.906

22 77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'46.022

23 31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.075

24 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'46.133

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'42.121

2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'42.154

3 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'42.499

4 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'42.566

5 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'42.633

6 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'42.725

7 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'42.789

8 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'43.111

9 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.410

10 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.431

11 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'43.506

12 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'43.508

13 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'43.530

14 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'43.691

15 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'43.813

16 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'43.957

17 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'44.291

18 77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'44.802

19 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.878

20 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'46.180

21 71 Sakai D. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'46.679

22 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'46.771

23 31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.912

24 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.914

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.848

2 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.962

3 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'48.233

4 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.367

5 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'48.483

6 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'48.523

7 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'48.965

8 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.029

9 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'49.068

10 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.369

11 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'49.536

12 45 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.687

13 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'50.324

14 19 Boscoscuro A. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'50.857

15 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'50.926

16 40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'51.063

17 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'51.281

18 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'51.437

19 8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Honda CBR600RR 1'52.627

20 10 Toth I. (HUN) Honda CBR600RR 1'54.801

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) took his ninth career pole with a new track best of 1'47.848 in final qualifying, outpacing a late charge from Parkalgar Honda rider Eugene Laverty.

Only those two went into the 1'47s, with championship leader Joan Lascorz (Motocard.com Kawasaki) third fastest.

Michele Pirro from Hannspree Ten Kate Honda was a creditable fourth, and former WSS Champion Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki) fifth.

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