Checa on pole at Phillip Island

Added on Saturday, February 26th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

As the 2011 World Superbike Championship gets into gear, it’s Carlos Checa who secured the first Superpole victory of the season at Phillip Island today.

A long winter has finally come to an end for the WSB fraternity, with the riders and team making the long trip to Australia for the opening round of the season. Despite tremendous pressure from those around him, it was Checa who rose to the challenge of pole position, setting a brand new lap record in the process, with a time of 1m30.883s.

Second in command Max Biaggi tried his best to steal the prominent position away from him in the closing stages of the session, however could only manage second best. Sylvain Guintoli will start the first of tomorrow’s races from third place on the grid, with 2010 WSB title contender Leon Haslam in fourth.

Eugene Laverty is next up in fifth place, narrowly ahead of Jakub Smrz. The remaining four spots in the all important top ten were filled by Troy Corser, Marco Melandri, Michel Fabrizio and finally Brit Tom Sykes.

After securing one of the victories at Phillip Isalnd in 2010, pole sitter Checa will be keen to repeat his performance, with a view to doubling up on his success. The stage is set for tomorrow’s season opener, and it’s like it’ll be as much a thriller as always.

Qualifying Positions, WSB, Phillip Island:

Pos. Rider Team Time

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’30.882

2. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’30.895

3. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’31.293

4. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1’31.429

5. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 1’31.858

6. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’31.980

7. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1’32.182

8. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 1’32.662

9. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’32.153

10. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’32.204