Tom Sykes heads the first qualifying session
After the first official qualifying session at the season finale of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship one of the potential champions, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), leads the field, with a lap time of 1 minute 38.200 seconds.
The English rider heads the outgoing champion Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati), with another potential champion this year, Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) third quickest. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) was the second fastest Ducati rider in the official session this afternoon, fourth overall.
This morning's quickest rider, Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) was fifth after first qualifying. Michel Fabrizio (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) was one place up on seventh place rider - and clear championship leader - Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team). Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) completes the top eight riders on day one, in a field of 21.
