Max Biaggi served notice that the factory Aprilia RSV4 has one formidable powerplant by registering the fastest-ever top speed in World Superbike history of 206.6 mph.
Defending
World Superbike champion Max Biaggi demonstrated the potency of his factory Aprilia RSV4 by posting the fastest-ever top speed in WSB history on Monza’s long front straight, a blistering 206.6 mph. Biaggi’s impressive speed helped him to temporarily slide into the provisional pole position with only four minutes remaining in Friday’s qualifying session.
"“Choosing tires and set-up - that's the job that needs to be done, and it's no small thing," Biaggi said at the end of the practice sessions. " I like this track. The feelings are positive, but we need to concentrate on these decisions. They say that we're strong in terms of top speed, but nobody in this sport has ever won races on straight stretches and since the bike is always an eternal compromise, we need to find a general balance. Tire wear will be a deciding factor in a race with such high averages and fast turns where the rubber will be under a lot of stress."
The "Roman Emperor" may have been fast, but it was
BMW Motorrad Motorsports' Leon Haslam who would take back rider-of-the-day laurels with an incredible final lap which bested Biaggi’s time by a scant 0.019 seconds. Haslam held the top slot for most of the session until Biaggi powered to the top of the timesheets, but Haslam’s last minute heroics put him back into the provisional pole position.
"It was a very good day, and, of course, you are always happy when you are on top. I feel we have made a big step forward from Assen. Obviously we were always looking forward to Monza as Troy had a good result here last year. The biggest thing I am happy with is that I feel overall we have made a step forward with the bike with the way it is working,"
Haslam said.
Yamaha World Superbike rider Eugene Laverty lapped the Monza circuit third-fastest today. Laverty was able to best the time of BMW Motorrad Italia’s Ayrton Badovini, who rode
BMW Motorrad Motorsports' Leon Haslam put in a blistering final lap to take back the provisional pole position from Biaggi.
well on his privateer S1000RR. Badovini looked strong early on, finishing third in the morning’s free practice session before capturing the fourth slot in the qualifying round.
Castrol Honda’s
Jonathan Rea wasn’t far off the pace to finish fifth-fastest. Rea was the quickest lapper in Free Practice 1 and is showing good form after winning his first race of the 2011 World Superbike season in the last round at Assen.
“Nitro” Noriyuki Haga worked hard for the PATA Racing Team and earned the sixth spot on the timesheets aboard his RSV4 Factory bike. Haga’s efforts pushed Yamaha World Superbike rider Marco Melandri down a notch into seventh place on today’s qualifying timesheet.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s Troy Corser rode to the eighth-best time of the day, putting three S1000RRs in the top eight. Supersonic Racing’s Maxime Berger was the top Ducati finisher in ninth, while championship points leader Carlos Checa was off the pace today and finished back in 14th aboard his Althea Racing Ducati.
Both James Toseland and Chris Vermeulen made their returns to World Superbike action after being sidelined with injuries. “King” James was riding with a painfully swollen hand and could only muster a 19th-best time while Vermeulen, coming back from knee surgery, crashed during the session and scuffed up his left elbow.
Monza World Superbike Friday Qualifying Results:
1. Leon Haslam (BMW) 1'42.934
2. Max Biaggi (Aprilia) 1'42.953
3. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha) 1'43.265
4. Ayrton Badovini (BMW) 1'43.276
5. Jonathan Rea (Honda) 1'43.321
6. Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia) 1'43.531
7. Marco Melandri (Yamaha) 1'43.588
8. Troy Corser (BMW) 1'43.640
9. Maxime Berger (Ducati) 1'43.679
10. Leon Camier (Aprilia) 1'43.730
11. Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki) 1'43.762
12. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'43.850
13. Sylvain Guintoli (Ducati) 1'43.861
14. Carlos Checa (Ducati) 1'44.071
15. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki) 1'44.095
16. Ruben Xaus (Honda) 1'44.232
17. Jakub Smrz (Ducati) 1'44.401
18. Roberto Rolfo (Kawasaki) 1'44.922
19. James Toseland (BMW) 1'44.989
Monza World Supersport Friday Qualifying 2011
The R6 continues to look strong in World Supersport as Yamaha ParkinGo riders Chaz Davies and Luca Scassa finished one-two in today’s qualifying session. Davies backed up his win in the last round at Assen with the fastest time today, besting his teammate by 0.105 seconds. Scassa has won the other two races of the World Supersport season and leads Broc Parkes in the championship race by five points.
Step Racing’s Gino Rea finished third-fastest on the timesheets today, edging out the Honda CBR600RR of Hannspree Ten Kate’s Florian Marino.
Kawasaki Motocard.com Parkes rounded out the top five. Parkalgar Honda’s Sam Lowes , who broke his collarbone in the last round at Assen, put in an impressive effort to finish the day in seventh.
Monza World Supersport Friday Qualifying Results:
1. Chaz Davies (Yamaha) 1'48.408
2. Luca Scassa . (Yamaha) 1'48.513
3. Gino Rea (Honda) 1'48.613
4. Florian Marino (Honda) 1'49.156
5. Broc Parkes (Kawasaki) 1’49.218
6. Roberto Tamburini (Yamaha) 1’49.263
7. Sam Lowes (Honda) 1’49.462
8. David Salom (Kawasaki) 1'49.788
