Archive - Feb 2009 - Race Or Practice Result

Czech rider Jakub Smrz took the first provisional pole of 2009 at Phillip Island today, after firing in a last-second fast lap to trounce the opposition. In hot conditions, Smrz put his Guandalini Ducati ahead of the factory Xerox Ducati of Noriyuki Haga. Briton Leon Haslam was third fastest, after setting a time that looked quick enough to clinch pole with just a couple of minutes to go. Behind Haslam's Honda followed the Suzukis of Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama, all within a few hundredths of Haslam. 

Shinya Nakano was first of the Aprilias in 6th place, while Ben Spies, who had led the cooler morning session, slipped to 8th place, losing over a tenth of a second in the afternoon. Troy Corser was fastest of the BMW men, taking 16th spot, while Makoto Tamada was the quickest Kawasaki, way down in 18th, and just ahead of his team mate Broc Parkes, and the other BMW of Ruben Xaus. Practice continues tomorrow. 

World Superbike QP1 Results

The Ten Kate dominance continues in the World Supersport class, with Andrew Pitt taking provisional pole in this afternoon's session. Team mate Kenan Sofuoglu was fastest in the morning session, but was pipped by 6/100ths in the afternoon. The Yamaha riders also saw their order reversed between morning and afternoon. Rookie Cal Crutchlow had been fastest Yamaha during free practice, but the Briton saw his French team mate Fabien Foret leapfrog ahead of him up to third place. BE1 Triumph's Garry McCoy remained on the front row, fourth fastest in both morning and afternoon session. Fellow Australian Ant West managed a creditable 7th fastest time, and must feel relief at being near the top of the timesheets, rather than the bottom.

Dutchman Barry Veneman was the fastest of the Suzukis, though only managing to set the 12th fastest time. The first Kawasaki was Spaniard Joan Lascorz, directly behind Veneman in 13th. Practice and qualifying continues tomorrow.

World Supersport Qualifying Times