Tom Sykes takes first Tissot-Superpole of the season

Alcaniz (Spain) - A thrilling Tissot-Superpole this afternoon saw reigning Champion Tom Sykes claim pole position of the season aboard his Kawasaki Racing Team machine ahead of his team mate Loris Baz.

In a restarted Superpole 1 after Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki) suffered a technical problem, Toni Elias (Red Devils Aprilia) and Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia) were the fastest within the session and joined the already seeded riders for the final 15 minute shoot-out, in what was a fast and furious fight on track for top spot.

At the end of the session it was Sykes that just clung to secure pole position ahead of Baz and Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) who completed the top 3.

In tomorrow’s races, row 2 will be headed by Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team), who will be joined by Jonathan Rea (PATA Honda World Superbike Team) and Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team).

After making it through into Superpole 2, Leon Camier, substitute rider for Sylvain Barrier, was the leading EVO category rider, qualifying 11th overall in his first race with the BMW machine.

Leon Haslam and Chaz Davies also fell in the session, thankfully without injury.

Jonathan Rea: “I’m honestly quite happy as this is the fastest I’ve ever been here and we’ve made such a big step since last year. While I’m satisfied with my lap time, I’m not with my position. I expected a 56s would be good for front row, but the pace is quite fast. I’m quite satisfied with the set-up we’ve got, I just need to make a really good start from row two and try to go with the guys in front of me on the grid.”

Results: 1. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'56.479 average 165.166 kph; 2. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'56.675; 3. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'56.769; 4. Giugliano (Ducati) 1'56.825; 5. Rea (Honda) 1'56.972; 6. Davies (Ducati) 1'56.977; 7. Melandri (Aprilia) 1'57.063; 8. Laverty (Suzuki) 1'57.736; 9. Lowes (Suzuki) 1'57.975; 10. Elias(Aprilia) 1'58.180; 11. Camier (BMW) 1'59.326; 12. Haslam (Honda) 1'58.376.

WSBK