Spies storms to Brno pole
Added on Saturday, July 25th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Spies storms to Brno pole
Texan Ben Spies seized yet another Superpole triumph, ahead of Sunday’s World Superbike Championship race from the Czech Republic-based Brno circuit on Saturday afternoon.
Having secured his ninth trophy of the year, Spies is now just one away from Doug Polen’s 1991 Ducati record, which he accomplised with a quickest time of 1:58.868 – the quickest time seen so far this weekend.
Despite finishing the session on top, Spies was pushed hard for the duration, by Michel Fabrizio of Ducati Xerox and Aprilia Racing’s Max Biaggi. The Italian duo are set to start tomorrow’s race just inches adrift of Spies, occupying third and fourth on the grid, respectively. Regardless of struggling during the early stages of the weekend, Jonathan Rea came through to set the fourth fastest time, completing the front row of the grid.
Shane Byrne was able to set the fifth fastest time, giving him the front spot of row two. Just behind, the BMW Motorrad S1000 RR’s of Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus powered through to sixth and seventh, giving the German manufacturer it’s strongest qualifying finish this season. Brit Tom Sykes rounded out the top eight, bringing up the rear of Superpole three, on his Yamaha WSB machine.
Further back, points leader, Noriyuki Haga was only able to manage 14th after struggling with his shoulder injury thoughout the day.
Britain had a lot to cheer for following the World Supersport qualifying session, as British rider Cal Crutchlow stormed to pole, with a time of 2:02.060.
World Superbike Championship, Superpole three, Qualifying Result:
| Pos. | Rider | Nat | Team | Time |
| 1 | Ben Spies |
USA |
Fiat Yamaha Team | 1’58.868 |
| 2 | Michel Fabrizion |
ITA |
Ducati Xerox Team | +0.082 |
| 3 | Max Biaggi |
ITA |
Aprilia Racing | +0.187 |
| 4 | Jonathan Rea |
GBR |
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda | +0.872 |
| 5 | Shane Byrne |
GBR |
Sterilgarda | +0.919 |
| 6 | Troy Corser |
AUS |
BMW Motorrad Motorsport | +1.178 |
| 7 | Ruben Xaus |
ESP |
BMW Motorrad Motorsport | +1.228 |
| 8 | Tom Sykes |
GBR |
Yamaha WSB | +1.372 |
| 14 | Noriyuki Haga |
JPN |
Ducati Xerox Team | +2.194 |
| 17 | Leon Haslam |
GBR |
Stiggy Racing Honda | +2.535 |
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