Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Saturday 6 September 2014 – The tenth Superpole of the 2014 season took place at the Jerez circuit this afternoon, and brought positive results for the Ducati Superbike Team; Davide Giugliano qualifies on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s races, in second position, Chaz Davies seventh.
Lower track temperatures for this morning’s third timed practice session allowed all of the Superbike riders to improve on times set yesterday. Giugliano found good pace right from the start of the session, gradually improving on his lap times to record a best of 1’41.645 (over a second faster than yesterday), a time that projected him into second position overall, just two tenths of a second from Melandri. Davies continued to make small set-up modifications throughout the session, lowering his time by almost a full second to close in fifth position (1’41.983). Both Ducati men therefore qualified easily for this afternoon’s Superpole 2.
Superpole 2 – making a first exit on race rubber, and recording interesting lap times in the process, Giugliano immediately returned to the track with the qualifying tyre. Able to complete a clean, fast lap, the Ducati rider put in a time of 1’40.533. Thanks to this impressive result, Giugliano ducked under last year’s best lap record to qualify in second position for tomorrow’s races, less than three tenths from polesitter Baz. Davies also completed laps on the race tyre before heading back out with the qualifier. Unfortunately a small mistake through the fastest corner caused him to lose valuable tenths, meaning that he concluded today’s Superpole with a best time of 1’41.199. This result places Davies seventh on tomorrow’s race grid.
Quotes after the day’s sessions:
Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team #34) – 2th (1’40.533)
“I’m really pleased to be back on the front row as we haven’t been here for a while. This weekend has been tough so far because these conditions make things a bit difficult for us but this result means that the entire team has done a great job and that we are continuing to make good progress. Tomorrow’s races will be hard work I expect, due to the hot conditions. I’ll be doing everything I can to keep the tyres in the best possible condition and obtain the best possible results. I thank my whole team for their hard work so far – it’s a great result.”
Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team #7) – 7° (1’41.199)
“In order to improve grip at the rear it seems like I’m losing some of the feeling at the front of the bike so that’s been a bit challenging, as to improve in one area it feels as if we’re taking away from another. I’m a little disappointed with qualifying because I didn’t manage to put together a great lap, losing a few tenths when I ran wide through the fastest corner. If it hadn’t been for that I’d have been on the second row. Anyway, my lap times are good and I feel that the bike is working well so I think we can be in the mix tomorrow. We just need to see if we can find a compromise that gives me the best possible level of rear grip but, at the same time, also good front feeling.”
