2013 Monza World Superbike Superpole Results
For the third time in 2013 World Superbike, and the 14th time of his WSBK career, Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes won Superpole.
The Brit, who was victorious at the first race at Assen two weeks ago, piloted his ZX-10R Ninja to the top qualifying spot at Monza with a 1:41.223, which earned him the pole position for Sunday’s doubleheader.
Sykes’ time also became a new fastest lap at Monza, the 27-year-old West Yorkshire native ousted the previous record held by Max Biaggi, the now-retired 2012 World SBK Champion.
Monza was one of four tracks where Sykes never earned pole, him taking a record nine last season. And though conditions were wet in the beginning of Superpole, the 3.58-mile circuit containing 13 corners dried out before the first of three sessions began. Wet conditions are nothing new at Monza; last season, race one was red flagged and not completed due to rain, and Sykes won a wet race-two there.
Joining Sykes on the front row Sunday will be Aprilia Racing Team RSV pilots Eugene Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli, the current World SBK points leader, respectively.
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R Ninja Superbike) says: “I did not know the time Eugene had set but I knew that the Aprilias would be fast here. I am looking forward to tomorrow because we all have good race pace. In some areas we have an advantage and we got a new circuit record in Superpole, and the ideal starting position for tomorrow.
“I am looking forward to two exciting races. I like racing at Monza because the spectators are crazy like me! The fans are very enthusiastic and Monza is a very fast circuit. I hope to be very strong tomorrow.”
Heading up the second row for Monza World Superbike is Pata Honda Racing’s Jonathan Rea, who led the first free practice on Friday held under wet conditions. Rea will be joined on the second row by the man who led both qualifying sessions, BMW Motorrad GoldBet’s Marco Melandri, who was forced into the garage due to a technical issue with his S1000RR, and Althea Racing Aprilia’s Davide Giugliano.
The third row will consist of the FIXI Crescent Suzuki duo of Jules Cluzel and Leon Camier, respectively, who will be joined by Melandri’s Chaz Davies.
As for Ducati riders, Alstare 1199 Panigale R rider Carlos Checa was forced out of Monza World Superbike due to shoulder issues. His teammate, Ayrton Badovini, was the quickest Ducati in Superpole, qualifying 12th.
The riders will return to Monza for the doubleheader Sunday morning. For a preview of the round, click here.
2013 Monza World Superbike Qualifying Results:
1. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’41.223
2. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’41.301
3. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’41.542
4. Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) Honda CBR1000RR 1’41.798
5. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) BMW S1000 RR 1’41.819
6. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’41.926
7. Jules Cluzel (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’42.680
8. Leon Camier (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’42.808
9. Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) BMW S1000 RR 1’42.955
10. Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’42.469
11. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’42.726
12. Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’43.801
13. Max Neukirchner (MR-Racing) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’44.246
14. Fabrizio Lai (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’44.883
15. Federico Sandi (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’44.889
16. Mark Aitchison (Team Effenbert Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’46.523
17. Kosuke Akiyoshi (Pata Honda World Superbike) Honda CBR1000RR 1’46.631
18. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Grillini Dentalmatic SBK) BMW S1000 RR 1’46.827
19. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’44.763 (not starting; Q1 time)
