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Melandri still on top after Qualifying 2

Saturday, 11 May 2013 10:08 GMT
Melandri still on top after Qualifying 2

Following overnight rain, Monza's Autodromo Nazionale tarmac conditions improved during the 45-minute Qualifying 2. Top-10 saw no changes in position from yesterday's first session, with the battle to qualify for this afternoon's Superpole that was all about the remaining 5 slots.


Marco Melandri's 1'42.883 Q1 lap-time was enough for the Italian to stay in the lead, as the BMW Motorrad GoldBet rider finished ahead of Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) and Sylvain Guintoli, who managed to improve to a new 0.284 gap from the top.


The encouraging notes for the official Aprilia arrived also from Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team), able to drop 4 tenths of a second after a below-par Day 1 that saw the Irishman struggling a bit on the brakes.


Carlos Checa's weekend is unfortunately over due to an overnight worsening of his left shoulder conditions. The Spaniard of Team Ducati Alstare was diagnosed with an osseus edema to the humerus after the Assen round, and yesterday's on-track effort intensified the inflammation in the joint.