Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Friday 18 October 2013: the closing round of the 2013 World Superbike championship kicked off today at the Spanish circuit of Jerez. Team SBK Ducati Alstare with Xavi Fores and Ayrton Badovini concluded today’s first qualifying session in eleventh and twelfth position respectively.
In the weekend’s first practice session, which took place this morning in warm and sunny conditions, Ayrton Badovini unfortunately suffered a setback at the start of the session due to a small technical issue. Once resolved, Ayrton worked hard in the final fifteen minutes of the session, recording a best time of 1’44.3 to finish in thirteenth position. Xavi Fores, working with his technicians to find the best set-up for his bike at this track, closed twelfth with a time of 1’44.1.
Later on, in the first of the weekend’s two qualifying session, Fores, gaining confidence with every exit he made, was able to drop his time by over a second, recording a 1’43.2 in the final stages. Thanks to this time he closed in eleventh position. Badovini lapped with very similar times to his team-mate, concluding with the twelfth fastest time (1’43.3).
Ayrton Badovini: “This morning we had a problem with electrics which meant that we only spent about half the session on track. As a result we are behind in terms of set-up. Anyway this afternoon the bike behaved better and we were able to make a step forward, let’s say that we’re probably half way there but still have an issue with traction. We’ll try to make up for lost ground tomorrow.”
Xavi Fores: “I’m pleased because every time I’ve gone out on track we’ve been able to improve. We are working hard on the setting because things are a bit different to what I’m used to. It’s not gone badly today, we’re less than a second from the leader. I need a bit more time to really get to grips with things but we’ll get there step by step. Tomorrow I want to work on my race pace and hope to be able to take another step forward and qualify for the Superpole.”
TIMES (Qualifiche): 1. Giugliano (Aprilia) 1’42.3. 2. Melandri (BMW) 1’42.6; 3. Laverty (Aprilia) 1’42.7; 4 Elias (1’42.7); 5. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1’42.9; 6. Camier (Suzuki) 1’42.9; 7. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’43.1; 8. Lanzi (Ducati) 1’43.1; 9. Davies (BMW) 1’43.1; 10. Cluzel (Suzuki) 1’43.2; 11. Fores (Ducati Alstare) 1’43.2; 12. Badovini (Ducati Alstare) 1’43.3
