Hopkins wins surprise Superpole

Added on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Regular British Superbike rider John Hopkins ruffled some feathers throughout the World Superbike paddock this afternoon, when he won Superpole for tomorrow’s double header at Silverstone.

After making the switch to the WSB series for this weekend, Hopkins was the surprise Superpole victor by the end of the session, after fighting off the championship regulars for the privilege. Hopkins also recorded a new track best time on his way to pole, with a fastest time of 2m04.041 seconds.

Eugene Laverty gave the best challenge he could to settle in second place for tomorrow’s opening race on the new Silverstone layout, whilst Leon Camier fired his Aprilia Alitalia machine to a strong third place. Championship leader Carlos Checa will start from fourth place on his Althea Racing Ducati.

After three hard fought qualifying sessions Sylvain Guintoli beat off the opposition for fifth place on the grid, with Marco Melandri inches behind. Michel Fabrizio quietly made his way to seventh place, ahead of Noriyuki Haga for the PATA Racing Team.

Leon Haslam managed to secure a spot in the top ten for his BMW Motorrad Motorsport machine in ninth place, whilst Ayrton Badovini, on a similar BMW rounded out the top ten. Drama struck for Max Biaggi, who after suffering a crash during the first Superpole outing was left with eleventh place.

Tomorro’s double header of full throttle action is set to be as thrilling as ever, as Checa tries to maintain his championship advantage. However Hopkins will be right there all the way, to mix it up at the sharp end of the grid.

Qualifying Positions, WSB, Silverstone:

Pos Rider Team Time

1. John Hopkins Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki 2’04.041

2. Eugene Laverty Yamaha World Superbike Team 2’04.068

3. Leon Camier Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team 2’04.303

4. Carlos Checa Althea Racing 2’04.362

5. Sylvain Guintoli Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing 2’05.456

6. Marco Melandri Yamaha World Superbike Team 2’05.639

7. Michel Fabrizio Team Suzuki Alstare 2’05.997

8. Noriyuki Haga PATA Racing Team Aprilia 2’04.627

9. Leon Haslam BMW Motorrad Motorsport 2’05.091

10. Ayrton Badovini BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team 2’05.115