Spies sweeps to second Superpole
Added on Friday, March 13th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Spies sweeps to second Superpole
Ben Spies secured his second World Superbikes pole in as many races ahead of tomorrow’s World Superbikes second round in Qatar.
The American, in his rookie WSB season, posted a lap record of 1′57.280 to see off the competition of Jakub Smrz and Max Biaggi, with main title rival Noriyuki Haga having to make do with a place on the second row of the grid in fourth.
Haga will line up alongside Spies’ Yamaha teammate and the fastest Brit Tom Sykes who was fifth quickest, with Shane Byrne directly behind him in eighth.
The session was less positive for the three other Brits on the circuit, with Jonathan Rea managing a lowly 17th position, one place of Leon Haslam. Tommy Hill will start from 20th position on the grid.
World Superbikes Round Two: Qatar - Starting Grid
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team |
| 1 | Ben Spies | USA | Yamaha |
| 2 | Jacob Smrz | CZE | Guandalini Racing Ducati |
| 3 | Max Biaggi | ITA | Aprilia Racing |
| 4 | Noriyuki Haga | JPN | Xerox Ducati |
| 5 | Tom Sykes | GBR | Yamaha |
| 6 | Shinya Nakano | JPN | Aprilia Racing |
| 7 | Carlos Checa | ESP | Ten Kate Honda |
| 8 | Shane Byrne | GBR | Sterilgarda Ducati |
| 9 | Roberto Rolfo | ITA | Stiggy Honda |
| 10 | Michel Fabrizio | ITA | Xerox Ducati |
| 17 | Jonathan Rea | GBR | Ten Kate Honda |
| 18 | Leon Haslam | GBR | Stiggy Honda |
| 20 | Tommy Hill | GBR | Ten Kate Honda |
