2015 SBK Imola Superpole Results
Due to injuring his back during pre-season testing at Phillip Island in Australia, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team’s Davide Giugliano was sidelined for the opening-four rounds of 2015 World Superbike.
But Giugliano was cleared to ride for round five of World Superbike at his native track in Imola, and he returned with a vengeance. The #34 Ducati Panigale 1199 R pilot was quickest during Saturday’s Superpole, earning the pole position for Sunday’s double header at Imola.
Davies was fast throughout the free practice sessions, and took the top time in the final session (FP4), posting a best lap of 1:47.116. When Superpole began, Giugliano immediately put in a few fast laps – despite making a small mistake in the final section.
But his early-session time of 1:46.382 would not be touched, and he earned the Superpole win before a home crowd. Joining Giugliano on the front row is the Kawasaki Racing Team duo of Tom Sykes and the current SBK points leader Jonathan Rea. The 2013 World SBK Champion Sykes trailed by 0.084 of a second, and Rea – who won six of eight races so far this season – by 0.121 of a second.
“I knew that I could put in a fast lap – that’s one of my strengths. We can only be pleased with this result and I think it’s a nice reward not only for myself but also for the team, the sponsors and all my fans,” Giugliano says.
“Tomorrow will be more difficult; I believe that we’re in a good place as far as set-up is concerned, and we’ve already chosen the tires, but I’m not physically fit and think I’ll struggle a bit in the races. Anyway, that said, never say never, maybe adrenalin will help me! For now I’ll celebrate the Superpole with my team, and tomorrow we’ll have to see.”
Heading up row two is Giugliano’s teammate Chaz Davies, who qualified 0.290 of a second off the top time. Qualifying fifth was the final rider to post within a second of Giugliano – Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils’ Leon Haslam, who is second in the SBK Championship standings, 50 points behind Rea.
Haslam was 0.472 of a second of the top time. The next closes rider was Haslam’s teammate, Jordi Torres, who qualified sixth 1.012 seconds off the top time.
Row three consists of Barni Racing Team Ducati’s Leandro Mercardo, BMW Motorrad Italia’s Ayrton Badovini and the reigning World Supersport Champion, Pata Honda World Superbike’s Michael van der Mark.
Qualifying on row four are Team Pedercini Kawasaki’s David Salom, Voltcom Crescent Suzuki’s Alex Lowes and MV Agusta Reparto Corse’s Leon Camier.
As for the reigning World Superbike Champion, Pata Honda World Superbike’s Sylvain Guintoli qualified 15th. This was also the first race without the Team Hero EBR team, which withdrew from World SBK following closing of EBR.
2015 SBK Imola Superpole Results:
1. Davide Guigliano, 1m46.382s ITA DUCATI Aruba.it Racing-Ducati Superbike Team
2. Tom Sykes, 1m46.466s GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team
3. Jonathan Rea, 1m46.503s GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team
4. Chaz Davies, 1m46.672s GBR DUCATI Aruba.it Racing-Ducati Superbike Team
5. Leon Haslam, 1m46.854s GBR APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils
6. Jordi Torres, 1m47.394s ESP APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils
7. Leandro Mercado, 1m47.628s ARG DUCATI BARNI Racing Team
8. Ayrton Badovini, 1m48.147s ITA BMW JR Racing Team
9. Michael van der Mark, 1m48.225s NED HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team
10. David Salom, 1m48.524s ESP KAWASAKI Team Pedercini
