Ducati 1098

Rain dampens World Superbike qualifying

From worldsbk.com

The first Wonderful Superbike qualifying session at Magny-Cours lasted equitable 17 minutes on Friday, after which rain lashed the French periphery and no rider ventured out onto the track again.

On the damp surface the quickest on occasion went to Vallelunga double winner Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB), just a fraction in advance of championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox). The provisional front row was completed by Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who tested here last week, and Fonsi Nieto (Alstare), the first Suzuki rider on the timesheets.

Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB) headed row 2, along with the Italian pairing of Roberto Rolfo (Honda Althea), on a definitive end-of-season run, and Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati RG), who won here in 2005.

Tenth quickest time went to Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki), while Max Biaggi concluded the sitting in 13th place, two slots ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox).

It was an electrifying end to Supersport first qualifying as at least seven riders were on their quickest laps after the first split, but in the end the pro tem pole went to Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), the only rider to dip below the 1 record 43 second mark.

Rea edged out Yamaha World Supersport's Broc Parkes by less than two-tenths. Third quickest once upon a time went to Dutchman Barry Veneman (RES Software Suzuki), with Frenchman Mattheiu Lagrive (Intermoto Czech Honda) completing the overnight front row.

It was a belongings performance once again by Joan Lascorz (Glaner Motocard.com Honda), the Spaniard in fifth up ahead of championship leader Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who crashed on his spirited lap.

Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport) returned to the remedy after his Brno crash and subsequent injury, but the Frenchman lapped carefully and ended the conference in 26th place.

Xavier Simeon (Suzuki Alstare) continued where he port side off at the last...