Checa wins Tissot-Superpole prize in Russia
Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) obliterated the previous track best from practice at the all-new Moscow Raceway during Tissot-Superpole qualifying, in readiness for the eni FIM Superbike World Championship races on Sunday. The top 16 riders in Superpole were whittled down to a top eight after three dry sessions and Checa proved to be the best of them, setting a new track best of 1 minute 34.193 seconds. It is his first pole position win of the 2012 season; the ninth in his career.
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) has more poles than anyone in 2012, seven, but had to settle for second best this time, with two fellow ex-British championship riders, Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing) and Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) also on the front row. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) fell in Superpole three and thus starts eighth on the grid. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) went fifth; Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) sixth. To make sure the championship battle remains tense, Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) was seventh fastest and well in the leading rider mix.
