Donington (Great Britain), Saturday 24 May 2014 – The Tissot-Superpole sessions ahead of tomorrow’s fifth round races for the 2014 eni FIM Superbike WorldChampionship were held in cold and wet conditions at Donington Park. After yesterday’s dry free practices the FP4 session this morning proved to be all important ahead of the two grid deciding sessions this afternoon. At the second chequered flag it was Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) who claimed his second career pole position, by… (read more)
Davide Giugliano: “I would like to dedicate this, the second pole of my career, to my whole team but also to the family of Andrea Antonelli. My first Superpole came in Moscow last year but was followed by the tragic accident, so I therefore wish to dedicate this to Andrea’s family. That said, I’m really pleased with today’s result and thank my entire team; we’ve worked well all weekend and I had a really good feeling all day today. Tomorrow’s races won’t be easy, regardless of whether conditions are wet or dry. My rivals are strong here so I think we’re in for two hard-fought races.”
Leon Haslam: “Since breaking my leg last year we haven’t had the best of times or been where we want to be in terms of results, so for me it’s a good start to my season to get on the front row. We’ve still got a little bit more work to do for the dry set-up but I had a good feeling with the bike in the rain at Assen and we’ve made a lot of steps over the winter. Fingers crossed I can get the start that’s needed and we can be in there with the front guys tomorrow.”
Times: 1. Giugliano (Ducati) 1’44.903 average 138.059 kph; 2. Haslam (Honda) 1’45.009; 3. Melandri (Aprilia) 1’45.111; 4. Lowes (Suzuki) 1’45.258; 5. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1’45.839; 6. Baz (Kawasaki) 1’46.058; 7. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’46.241; 8. Rea (Honda) 1’46.306; 9. Elias (Aprilia) 1’46.326; 10. Laverty(Suzuki) 1’47.963; 11. Davies (Ducati) 1’50.099; 12. Badovini (Bimota); 13. Iddon (Bimota); 14. Corti (MV Agusta); 15. Andreozzi (Kawasaki); 16. Canepa (Ducati); 17. Salom (Kawasaki); 18. Camier (BMW); 19. Foret (Kawasaki); 20. Guarnoni (Kawasaki).
World Supersport
The World Supersport qualifying session at Donington Park was held in tricky conditions as the rain that had been falling steadily for several hours began to fall more heavily as the green flag indicated the start of the 45 encounter. Jack Kennedy fell victim to the conditions on his first flying lap, losing control of his CIA Insurance Honda at McLeans corner but was able to remount and return to the garage… (read more)
Times: 1. Vd Mark (Honda) 1’46.220 average 136.347 kph; 2. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 1’46.983; 3. Coghlan (Yamaha) 1’47.932; 4. Jacobsen (Kawasaki) 1’48.158; 5. Bussolotti (Honda) 1’48.515; 6. Nocco (Kawasaki) 1’48.635; 7. Zanetti (Honda) 1’49.102; 8. Cluzel (MV Agusta) 1’49.579; 9. Russo (Honda) 1’49.702; 10. Hornsey (Triumph) 1’49.909; 11. Leonov (MV Agusta) 1’50.150; 12. Gamarino (Kawasaki) 1’50.150; 13. Tamburini (Kawasaki) 1’50.152; 14. Wilairot (Honda) 1’50.336; 15. Rolfo (Kawasaki) 1’50.371; etc.
European Junior Cup
Local rider Josh Harland (Josh Harland Racing) has claimed the pole position for tomorrow’s 10 lap Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda race. The young Brit, who clocked in 1’47.965s in yesterday’s first qualifying session Donington Park, will be joined on the front row of the grid by Spaniards Javier Orellana (Europ Food SL) and Marc Miralles (Construccions Miralles). Points leader Augusto Fernandez (WIL Sport) ended up fourth.
Times: 1. Harland 1’47.965 average 134.143 kph; 2. Orellana 1’48.142; 3. Miralles 1’48.735; 4. Fernandez 1’48.904;5. Soomer 1’49.061; 6. Hubner 1’49.247; 7. Licciardi 1’49.316; 8. Hill 1’49.324; 9. Fernandez 1’49.371; 10. Grassia 1’49.545; etc.
