World SBK: Sykes Takes 9th Pole at Magny-Cours

2012 Magny-Cours World Superbike Qualifying Results

For the ninth time in the 2012 World Superbike Championship, Kawasaki Racing’s Tom Sykes has earned the top qualifying spot.

Sykes piloted his ZX-10R to 1:36.950 during Magny-Cours Superpole Saturday, setting a new track best at the French circuit. Sykes was 0.518 of a second quicker than the man who will start second at Sunday’s doubleheader, Althea Racing Ducati’s Carlos Checa.

Taking the final front row positions were Aprilia Racing’s Eugene Laverty and BMW Motorrad’s Marco Melandri, respectively.

Sykes is second in the points race as the series heads into the final round Sunday, 30.5 points behind Aprilia Racing Team’s Max Biaggi. Melandri is 38.5 points behind Biaggi, and is the only other rider who has a shot at taking the 2012 World SBK title. Biaggi qualified 10th at Magny-Cours after suffering a fall during the second of three Superpole sessions.

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R Superbike) says: “It is nice to get another circuit record and it is something a little bit personal for me. The challenge is good and I have a great team and manufacturer behind me who will help me achieve these goals, so I am very happy. I am starting the last race of 2012 from pole position so that is another little something that keeps me motivated for tomorrow, especially for my main rival on the third row. I am just happy that my team and Kawasaki have given me a good package to use once again.”

Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad S1000RR Superbike) says: “Superpole was very good for me because my physical

condition is not the best. To be on the front row is a big result for

me. We could not expect that yesterday so for sure I am happy. I was

struggling with the qualifying tire because with the extra grip you can

change directions faster but for me with my injury that was impossible.

“I

am very happy about my RR, we worked well this weekend with the team.

Tomorrow is going to be another difficult day. We have to wait and see

what the weather will do. It looks like it is going to be wet. And we

have to see how my physical condition will be. It is the end of the

season and for one more time we will try our best. At this last round I

hope to give another good result to BMW Motorrad.”

Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing RSV4 Superbike) says: “I’m obviously a bit disappointed because I made a few mistakes in the fast lap with the qualifying tyre that kept me from staying in the top eight. I won’t dwell on what happened. It is already time to think about what to expect tomorrow. There is a risk of rain tomorrow and that could shuffle the deck since we haven’t done even one lap in the wet this weekend. The important thing will be to start well and stay focused. Then we’ll see what happens. I’ll ride my own race and try to stay out front without making too many calculations”.

Heading up the second row is PATA Racing Ducati’s Sylvain Guintoli, who will be joined by Honda World Superbike’s Jonathan Rea, BMW Motorrad’s Leon Haslam and PakinGO MTC Racing Aprilia’s Chaz Davies.

Although Superpole was held under dry conditions, there is rain in the forecast for Sunday’s season finale. SPEED TV will broadcast Magny-Cours World SBK at 4 pm. (race 1) and 5 p.m. (race 2) EDT.

2012 Magny-Cours World Superbike Superpole Results:

1. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’36.950

2. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’37.422

3. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’37.516

4. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1’37.658

5. Sylvain Guintoli (PATA Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1’37.901

6. Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 1’38.252

7. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1’38.280

8. Chaz Davies (ParkinGO MTC Racing) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’38.425

9. Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’38.072

10. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’38.095

11. Michel Fabrizio (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 1’38.318

12. Claudio Corti (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’38.516

13. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’38.548

14. Maxime Berger (Red Devils Roma) Ducati 1098R 1’38.727

15. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’38.807

16. Lorenzo Zanetti (PATA Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1’39.354

17. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 1’39.430

18. Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.750

19. John Hopkins (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’40.538

20. Alexander Lundh (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’40.882

21. Norino Brignola (Grillini Progea Superbike Team) BMW S1000 RR 1’42.461