News

Rea displaces Torres to end 1st night on top

Friday, 16 October 2015 20:57 GMT

    • Record times on the cards ahead of FP3 tomorrow.

    As expected after the opening floodlit session of the weekend FP2 at the Losail International circuit saw lap times tumble as the WorldSBK riders got up to speed around the 5.380km circuit, with a flurry of improving laps in the final 8 minutes.

    At the flag and fastest overall courtesy of his 1.58.252s lap time was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) who powered to the number one spot by 0.154s ahead of Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) who were 2nd and 3rd respectively.

    During the session Rea appeared to receiving a number of messages from his team about how he was fairing at various points of the lap – ‘sector 2 OK’ for example. Interesting to see, could this be the new way of rider/team communication in practice sessions that allows the riders to stay on track longer?

    There were a number of off track moments for a number of riders including Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), the Dutchman refusing to close the throttle as he ran off the edge of the kerb at the fast turn 16. He ended the day in a strong 5th just behind Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) who improved to 4th in the closing stages.

    Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) had his leathers flapping in the breeze as he improved to 6th ahead of Xavi Fores (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team), Randy de Puniet and his Voltcom Crescent Suzuki team mate Alex Lowes and Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing).

    Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing), David Salom (Team Pedercini) and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) were 11th to 13th respectively while Sylvain Guintoli’s evening of woe continued as he appeared to suffer another technical issue out of the final turn causing him to run onto the grass on the inside of the circuit. The Pata Honda mechanics sprinted into action once again, pushing the CBR machine back to the garage, he was classified 14th and will be hoping for better fortune tomorrow.

    Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) completed the top 15.

    FP3 will take place ahead of the Tissot-Superpole sessions. It’s scheduled to start at 1800 local time and will present the riders with one final opportunity to make it into the top ten for an automatic place in Superpole 2 and the chance to fight for the final pole position of 2015.

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