Sykes Hits The Big 40 In Superpole

His team-mate Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) looked set to take the best starting position at one stage but Sykes timed his run perfectly to beat Rea’s 1’33.990 lap time.

Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) pushed himself to third in his home round, completing the race one front row.

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), running an aerodynamic cover over the ‘open’ end of his Panigale’s rear wheel today, was fourth.

The first Yamaha was that of Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) in fifth with Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) continuing his strong pace from Friday to go sixth.

The second R1 inside the top positions was ridden by Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team); the first rider more than a second from Sykes’ best new lap, and in seventh place.

Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Ducati) slotted in eighth, the BMW of Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) ninth and Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) completing the top ten.

Superpole 1 qualifiers Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Roman Ramos (Team GOELEVEN Kawasaki) completed the top 12 before race one gets underway, at 13.00 local time.