Reigning WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea went unchallenged in today’s second Superpole session, taking pole position by more than a three-quarters of a second as Chaz Davies crashed out and Tom Sykes didn’t start after his fireball spill in free practice three.
Rea was the only rider to break the 1’42s barrier on his way to a 1’41.430 - only a tenth slower than Sykes’ outright record - and was joined on the front row by both Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori as Davies lost the front of his Panigale at turn five on his first flying lap. He will start from ninth.
Laverty’s second flying lap of 1’42.197 was enough to steal second from his Milwaukee Aprilia team-mate and pushed Britain’s Alex Lowes to the top of the second row. Lowes had just edged out Marco Melandri while Jordi Torres, who came through Superpole one, completes the second row.
Michael Van Der Mark took his Pata Yamaha to seventh place with Stefan Bradl and Davies comprising the third row. Xavi Fores also came through Superpole one and starts in tenth.
It was disaster for Leon Camier as his MV Agusta ceased to function in the middle of his flying lap. After a trouble-free Friday, the Briton’s technical gremlins elected to return at precisely the wrong time and Camier returned to the garage. He starts from 11th.
