If you were following World Superbike today at Imola, you probably wondered if the fat lady was standing on the sidelines singing before it even got started. World Superbike action got off to a shaky start at the Italian racing circuit when a crash early in the first free practice session sent one rider to the hospital and left others refusing to return to the course.
Michel Fabrizio (84), Ducati Xerox, returns the fastest lap time around Imola despite the slippery conditions.
During the first five minutes of the session, Yamaha rider Tom Sykes highsided his R1, sending him to the hospital for possible damage to his right foot and ankle. Riders complained of slippery track condtions and refused to resume until conditions improved. Officals red flagged the session and sent a crew out to clean the entire ciruit.
Supersport resumed testing first, laying down some much-needed rubber on the track, and Superbike returned thereafter. The fastest time in of the afternoon went to Ducati Xerox's Michel Fabrizio, who was the only rider to finish under the 1'50 mark, turning 1'49.895 aboard his Ducati 1098R. Hannspree Ten Kate rider Carlos Checa finished just behind Fabrizio, with the Ben Spies following up in third. Checa's teammate, Jonathan Rea, who announced he has re-signed with Hannspree for the next two years, finished fourth with a lap time of 1'50.308.
Rounding out the top-five was Emperor Max Biaggi on his Aprilia RSV4. Showing improvement even though finishing in 12th was Biaggi's temporary teammate and reigning 250cc World Champion, Marco Simoncelli, who lapped the Italian circuit in 1'51.090.
Jonathan Rea just resigned with Hannspree Honda for another 2 years.
Currently second in the point standings, 'Nitro' Nori Haga of Ducati Xerox finished in 13th. Haga, who was not present in July during testing, had not ridden the redesigned course before.
“I didn’t test here in July of course and so I’m a bit behind with respect to the other guys. I think I just a little more time to learn the track, specifically the last chicane, and we need to find a better solution for the suspension settings,” Haga said.
Qualifying will resume tomorrow as scheduled, followed by Superpole.
World Superbike Imola Friday Qualifying Results:
1 Fabrizio M. (ITA)
Ducati 1098R 1'49.895
2 Checa C. (ESP)
Honda CBR1000RR 1'50.125
3 Spies B. (USA)
Yamaha YZF R1 1'50.213
4 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'50.308
5 Biaggi M. (ITA)
Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'50.515
6
Kagayama Y. (JPN)
Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'50.516
7 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'50.716
8 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'50.801
9 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'50.806
10
Corser T. (AUS)
BMW S1000 RR 1'50.876
11 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'51.003
12 Simoncelli M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'51.090
13 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'51.112
14 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'51.333
15
Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'51.527
16 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'51.769
17
Tamada M. (JPN)
Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'51.898
18 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'51.922
19 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'51.954
20 Nieto F. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'52.086
21 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'52.183
22 Baiocco M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'52.446
23 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'52.792
24 Conforti L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'53.389
25 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'54.108
26 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'54.258
27 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 1'54.428
