Sykes leads Friday at Laguna Seca WSBK
As expected it was all change in the running order for FP2 as the morning cloud and drizzle had disappeared providing almost perfect weather conditions for today’s FP2 at Laguna Seca.
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) wasted no time in laying down the gauntlet, the reigning champion heading into the day’s final session at 1645 local time with a margin of 0.154s over Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) and Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) who also both improved to move into 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
After topping FP1 Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) missed the opening 15 minutes of the first afternoon session after his Aprilia developed a technical problem, he would eventually end up 4th overall in the combined classification.
Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) made big strides forward to finish 5th with Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) putting his morning engine problem behind him to make it two Ducati machines in the top 6.
Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), Toni Elias (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) complete the current top ten whilst Niccola Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) continues to head the EVO standings in 12th overall just behind Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) who slipped down the order to 11th after failing to improve his own personal lap time this afternoon.
With all three Free Practice sessions taking place today, the riders have one more chance to ensure their place in the Tissot-Superpole sessions that are scheduled to take place at 1300 local time tomorrow.
As it stands, Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) is 20th overall and would therefore progress as the last seeded rider if things remain unchanged in FP3.
Bryan Staring was 18th quickest on the Grillini Kawasaki but set his quickest time in the morning session, making no progress in the afternoon practice.
Geoff May continues to hold on to an encouraging 19th position on his Team Hero EBR Machine, the American hoping to progress into Superpole for the very first time.
