Misano Adriatico (Italy), Friday 19 June 2015 – positive results for Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano in today’s first timed practices at the Misano World Circuit, despite two crashes for the Italian rider. A more unlucky day for Luca Scassa who has fractured his collarbone in a nasty crash that took place during the second session of the day at Turn 3.
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team began the weekend with the opening timed practice which took place this morning in dry conditions. Davies started off well, working with his team to identify a good set-up for his Ducati Panigale. Finding good pace, he was able to record a best of 1’36.156 in the final moments to close the session second. Unfortunately a crash for Giugliano on his exit lap prevented him from continuing with the session and, as a result, he did not complete even one timed lap. The Italian rider suffered a serious blow to the right hip and gluteus but was nevertheless able to participate in the afternoon’s session. Scassa, who has not raced for more than a year, went out with the intention of using this first session to build confidence with both his Panigale and the track. Improving on his times lap after lap he concluded the session with a 1’37.243 that placed him fourteenth.
Both Davies and Giugliano made good progress during the afternoon. Despite being in a lot of pain, the Roman rider completed sixteen laps, the best of which (1’35.631) positioned him second overall. A small crash during his final exit, due to a lack of traction at the front on entering a corner, prevented him from further improving on his time. Chaz continued to work to refine the front of his Panigale, managing to lower this morning’s time by another half a second to conclude third (1’35.637), just 0.006 of a second from his teammate. Luca was also working well with his technicians but was unfortunately the victim of a crash ten minutes before the end in which he fractured his right collarbone. Scassa has therefore been ruled unfit to continue the weekend.
Quotes after the day’s sessions:
Davide Giugliano – (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #34) – 2nd (1’35.631)
“I took quite a blow in this morning’s crash but was able to get back on the bike this afternoon, even though it was painful to ride. It’s very positive that we have finished in the top two, especially seeing as we missed this morning’s session entirely. We’re not yet there in terms of bike set-up, and there’s still work to do tomorrow but, despite the two crashes, results for now are looking positive.”
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #7) – 3rd (1’35.637)
“My Panigale is working reasonably well here and the track, which has been resurfaced, seems to be quite smooth though I think conditions will continue to improve over the course of the weekend. We are continuing to concentrate on working on the front of my bike, as we did a Portimao, and even though we haven’t found anything revolutionary I think we’ve seen some improvement today. We also have good pace which is important. All in all, a good start to the weekend.”
Luca Scassa – (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #99) – 20th (1’37.342)
“It’s a real shame because things were going well. We made a modification at the start which didn’t work but then, having changed direction, it was all going a lot better and I was lapping faster. I was using Chaz and his times as a reference and I could see that we were gradually improving. But then unfortunately I had a highside and have fractured my right collarbone. The doctors say I need to rest for three weeks and, in addition, I found out yesterday that I have a problem with my meniscus too, so I guess I need to take a break and get myself fit.”
Weekend schedule (CET):
Saturday
09.45 – 10.30 – SBK Timed Practice 3
12.30 – 13.00 – SBK Free Practice
15.00 – 15.15 – Superpole 1
15.25 – 15.40 – Superpole 2
Sunday
8.40 – 8.55 – SBK Warm-up
10.30 – SBK Race 1
13.10 – SBK Race 2
