Misano Adriatico (Italy), Saturday 20 June 2015 – A positive Superpole, and third place overall, for Davide Giugliano and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team at the Misano World Circuit. Michele Pirro and Chaz Davies qualify tenth and eleventh respectively for the two 21-lap races.
In this morning’s third timed practice, both Davies and Giugliano were able to improve on yesterday’s times, as well as continuing to work to refine the set-up of their Panigale R bikes ahead of the Superpole and Sunday’s races. Giugliano is suffering the after-effects of yesterday’s crash, riding with significant contusions to his right hip and gluteus. The two Aruba Ducati riders’ fastest laps (1’35.435 for Chaz, 1’35.486 for Davide) ensured them of direct entry to Superpole 2, with Davies in sixth position and Giugliano eighth. Michele Pirro, substituting for injured Luca Scassa and therefore participating in his first session, was immediately able to find a good base set-up, lowering his times significantly throughout the timed practice to record a best of 1’35.439, which positioned him seventh, between his two teammates, at the session’s end.
Superpole 2: all three riders made an initial exit on the race tyre before returning to the track with the qualifying solution. Despite his physical limitations after Friday’s crash, Giugliano was able to make the most of the soft tyre, recording a lap that was fast enough – 1’34.442 – to guarantee himself a place on the front row of the grid, in third position. Unfortunately a technical problem that came up during the session prevented Davies from completing a fast lap with the qualifying tyre meaning that the Welshman qualifies in eleventh place with a time of 1’35.473 set with the race tyre. Michele, who was using the soft qualifying solution for the first time, made two solid laps, the fastest of which, a 1’35.139, positioned him tenth overall; the Italian will therefore line up on row four of the race grid alongside Davies.
Quotes after the day’s sessions:
Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #34) – 3rd (1’34.442)
“I’m pleased we were able to close third, as to start at the front of the grid will be particularly helpful in the opening stages of the race, also considering how close we all are in terms of times. Today I’m feeling physically worse than yesterday and I’m struggling to ride to be honest, especially in the changes of direction, so the races won’t be at all easy. We’ll continue to work this evening and I’m sure that, also with Dall’Igna’s help, we’ll be able to prepare well for tomorrow. Another key thing that will help is the passion and support of all my fans here.”
Michele Pirro (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #55) – 10th (1’35.139)
“First of all I want to thank the team for giving me this opportunity. It’s not easy to go from one bike to another, on different tyres, but I think that we worked well during the morning’s two sessions, setting some interesting times. The gap between me and the fastest riders was fairly contained which is important. As far as Superpole is concerned, I was using the qualifying solution for the first time and so although I think we have good potential, I was unable to make the most of the tyre. Anyway I hope to get away well in the races and be able to score two solid results.”
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #7) – 11th (1’35.473)
“Unfortunately we had a problem with the gear sensor in the Superpole, something that already affected my laps on the race tyre and then became worse with the qualifying tyre. There is no time to solve any issues during such a short session and so the result is disappointing. It’s a shame because the front of the bike seemed a bit better in this session. We’ve obviously got work to do tomorrow. I need to focus on making a fast start and then positioning myself well through the first laps to see what I can do, but it’s not going to be easy from the fourth row.”
Weekend schedule (CET):
Sunday
8.40 – 8.55 – SBK Warm-up
10.30 – SBK Race 1
13.10 – SBK Race 2
