Jonathan Rea leads the way on Day 1
Reigning World Champion Tom Sykes improved his morning session time, but the Kawasaki Racing Team rider was edged out by Rea.
Alcaniz (Spain) - Round 2 of the eni World Superbike Championship got underway in near perfect conditions at MotorLand Aragon with Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) having the honour of topping the first European day of the season.
Reigning World Champion Tom Sykes improved his morning session time, but the Kawasaki Racing Team rider was edged out by Rea, who ensured that his last lap of the day at the Spanish track would keep him at the top of the standings.
Sykes was therefore 2nd ahead of Aragon wizard Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) who moved up to 3rd. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team), Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) and Aprilia’s Marco Melandri completed the top 6.
In the EVO category Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) held on to tenth position despite a late crash. Local rider David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team) ended the day as the 3rd placed EVO rider in 14th just behind the returning Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia).
The other Spaniard in the field Toni Elias had a difficult day, the Red Devils Aprilia only managing 12th position.
Bimota on the other hand had an encouraging start to their return to superbike competition with Ayrton Badovini and Christian Iddon finishing in 17th and 21st.
There is one more free practice session tomorrow morning which gives the riders currently placed 21st and below the chance to make the grid deciding Tissot-Superpole.
Times: 1. Rea (Honda) 1'58.180 average 162.789 kph; 2. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'58.417; 3. Davies (Ducati) 1'58.575; 4. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'58.579; 5. Giugliano (Ducati) 1'58.717; 6. Melandri (Aprilia) 1'58.763; 7. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'58.855; 8. Laverty (Suzuki) 1'58.971; 9. Haslam (Honda) 1'59.103; 10. Canepa (Ducati) 1'59.861; 11. Lowes (Suzuki) 2'00.309; 12. Elias (Aprilia) 2'00.480; 13. Corti (MV Agusta) 2'00.749; 14. Camier (BMW) 2'00.966; 15. Salom (Kawasaki) 2'01.032; 16. Guarnoni (Kawasaki) 2'01.076; 17. Badovini (Bimota) 2'01.463; 18. Foret (Kawasaki) 2'01.511; 19. Morais (Kawasaki) 2'01.801; 20. Toth (BMW) 2'02.672; 21. Iddon (Bimota) 2'02.709; 22. Fabrizio (Kawasaki) 2'02.716; 23. Scassa (Kawasaki) 2'03.138; 24. Andreozzi (Kawasaki) 2'03.217; 25. Yates (EBR) 2'04.075; 26. Sebestyen (BMW) 2'05.570; 27. May (EBR) 2'05.593.
WSBK
Motorland Aragón is next destination for the Ducati Superbike Team
Top five for the Ducati Superbike Team in first practice sessions at Aragon
WSBK riders mix it up at the Portimão beach
WSBK riders mix it up at the Portimão beach WSBK riders mix it up at the Portimão beach
WSBK heads to Algarve for Round 8
WSBK heads to Algarve for Round 8 WSBK heads to Algarve for Round 8
Repeat performance for Sykes in second encounter at Misano
Repeat performance for Sykes in second encounter at Misano Repeat performance for Sykes in second encounter at Misano
Stella: “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull
Stella: “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull Stella: “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull
Nissan leads rain-soaked opening day of Fuji SUPER GT test
Nissan leads rain-soaked opening day of Fuji SUPER GT test Nissan leads rain-soaked opening day of Fuji SUPER GT test
Button on NASCAR learning curve: "I forgot how to start the car"
Button on NASCAR learning curve: "I forgot how to start the car" Button on NASCAR learning curve: "I forgot how to start the car"
MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash
MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.