Alex Lowes the pacesetter on opening day of WSBK season 2014

He may be a world superbike rookie and on his first visit to Phillip Island, but that hasn’t stopped Briton Alex Lowes setting the fastest time in practice ahead of the opening round of the 2014 Superbike World Championship this Sunday.

Lowes put his Suzuki at the top of the timesheets in today’s second 45-minute practice session – first practice was practically a non-affair due to inclement weather – and then stayed there despite the usually flurry of fast laps at the end of proceedings.

It was a sensational ‘official’ world superbike debut for Lowes, but no huge surprise after he crafted together a pre-season that was full of speed and vigour.

Lowes’ best lap was 1min31.100sec, only a fraction in front of Aprilia’s Marco Melandri (1:31.137), and then followed by Ducati’s Davide Guigliano (1:31.205) and Kawasaki’s world champion Tom Sykes (1:31.395) – four manufacturers sharing the spoils.

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Australian pair Glenn Allerton (BMW, 1:33.118) and Matt Walters (Kawasaki, 1:35.810) — both 11th hour replacements for injured internationals – were 15th and 22nd respectively on their EVO-spec machines.

Glenn Allerton used the session to continue his busy program of familiarisation with the BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike. After completing only four laps in the wet morning session, to be third quickest, this afternoon the Sydneysider went through a number of rear shock changes as he adapts the machine and himself to the task at hand. After completing 18 laps in the afternoon session Allerton ended FP2 15th quickest, the fastest BMW in the Superbike field, and the fourth quickest EVO spec’ machine with a 1m33.118.

There were two massive highside crashes in the session, with Sykes’ teammate Loris Baz coming unstuck at turn 12, and minutes later Chaz Davies was catapulted over his factory Ducati at turn nine. Both riders were unhurt.

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Jonathan Rea (Honda, 1:31.436) was fifth fastest from Eugene Laverty (Suzuki, 1:31.448).

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Marco Melandri (2nd): “This was not an easy day because of the weather, but it was definitely positive. Even with only one session we managed to follow the scheduled testing programme with good results. There is still room for improvement in many areas, but we are able to lap fast easily and that is a good starting point for Sunday's races. Tomorrow I'll try to focus efforts on speed and on the fast lap for qualifying because with times as close as they are starting as far up front as possible will be important”. — Marco Melandri (2nd): “This was not an easy day because of the weather, but it was definitely positive. Even with only one session we managed to follow the scheduled testing programme with good results. There is still room for improvement in many areas, but we are able to lap fast easily and that is a good starting point for Sunday’s races. Tomorrow I’ll try to focus efforts on speed and on the fast lap for qualifying because with times as close as they are starting as far up front as possible will be important”.

Jonathan Rea - 5th, 1m31.426s - "We continued with our testing programme from earlier this week when we completed a race distance on the C-spec tyre. We also wanted to try the bigger Pirelli tyre but we still need to do a bit more time on that. It was harder for me to do the lap time but it might be good for the end of the race, so we’ll have to see. We have also refined our engine-braking strategies and I’m quite happy with that. I think the grip has dropped a little today and I experienced a bit of instability from the rear on corner exit so we need to look at that. It might be the new engine that we put in for the start of the season or the lack of grip, but it occurs in quite a few areas. It’s a shame we missed the first session this morning but we’ll do some more time on the big tyre tomorrow morning and also try Pirelli's soft option to see if that is a potential race tyre, too. The wind changed a lot today and that made my problems in the last corner vanish because it really helped me to turn, but it also made it harder to get into turn one. Windy conditions here really do play with the set-up of the bike so we need to pay attention to that come raceday." — Jonathan Rea – 5th, 1m31.426s – “We continued with our testing programme from earlier this week when we completed a race distance on the C-spec tyre. We also wanted to try the bigger Pirelli tyre but we still need to do a bit more time on that. It was harder for me to do the lap time but it might be good for the end of the race, so we’ll have to see. We have also refined our engine-braking strategies and I’m quite happy with that. I think the grip has dropped a little today and I experienced a bit of instability from the rear on corner exit so we need to look at that. It might be the new engine that we put in for the start of the season or the lack of grip, but it occurs in quite a few areas. It’s a shame we missed the first session this morning but we’ll do some more time on the big tyre tomorrow morning and also try Pirelli’s soft option to see if that is a potential race tyre, too. The wind changed a lot today and that made my problems in the last corner vanish because it really helped me to turn, but it also made it harder to get into turn one. Windy conditions here really do play with the set-up of the bike so we need to pay attention to that come raceday.”

Leon Haslam - 7th, 1m31.533s - "We’re not a million miles away, in spite of the fact that we actually had a few problems. The front brake was dragging quite badly in a straight line, which obviously affected top speed, but also in the corners. We also had slightly different software for the engine-braking so had to use the whole session getting it back to where we were in the test; and we’re still not quite there. I didn’t use the soft today and felt pretty good on the harder tyre from the test. I think we could have gone a lot quicker but just ran out of time. Tomorrow, we need to do some work on the race tyres. There are three possible options, including two softer ones, so we’ll have to see how they perform." — Leon Haslam – 7th, 1m31.533s – “We’re not a million miles away, in spite of the fact that we actually had a few problems. The front brake was dragging quite badly in a straight line, which obviously affected top speed, but also in the corners. We also had slightly different software for the engine-braking so had to use the whole session getting it back to where we were in the test; and we’re still not quite there. I didn’t use the soft today and felt pretty good on the harder tyre from the test. I think we could have gone a lot quicker but just ran out of time. Tomorrow, we need to do some work on the race tyres. There are three possible options, including two softer ones, so we’ll have to see how they perform.”

Niccolò Canepa (12th): “This morning the track was wet and we preferred not to ride while this afternoon track conditions were very difficult and totally different to what we faced during testing. The track was dirty and the wind gave us trouble. At the start I had difficulty finding my rhythm and only in the final stages was I able to find the right pace. I tried the soft tyre but I didn’t get on well with it and I recorded my best time on a hard tyre. We had to work to adapt my Panigale to the track conditions but without changing absolutely everything. We consolidated our position at the head of the Evo pack and tomorrow I hope that the track has better grip so that we can try to improve and get into the top ten.” — Niccolò Canepa (12th): “This morning the track was wet and we preferred not to ride while this
afternoon track conditions were very difficult and totally different to what we faced during testing.
The track was dirty and the wind gave us trouble. At the start I had difficulty finding my rhythm
and only in the final stages was I able to find the right pace. I tried the soft tyre but I didn’t get on
well with it and I recorded my best time on a hard tyre. We had to work to adapt my Panigale to
the track conditions but without changing absolutely everything. We consolidated our position at
the head of the Evo pack and tomorrow I hope that the track has better grip so that we can try to
improve and get into the top ten.”

Sylvain Guintoli (10th): “The first day went well. I was trying to confirm a few setups that we had to try before the race, so we used this session to check them. I wasn't looking for a top time. Besides, the strong wind bothered my riding quite a bit. Tomorrow we'll try to pick up the pace now that we know which direction to go. We need to prepare as best as possible for two long and difficult races”. — Sylvain Guintoli (10th): “The first day went well. I was trying to confirm a few setups that we had to try before the race, so we used this session to check them. I wasn’t looking for a top time. Besides, the strong wind bothered my riding quite a bit. Tomorrow we’ll try to pick up the pace now that we know which direction to go. We need to prepare as best as possible for two long and difficult races”.

Geoff May (20th) – Team Hero EBR: ”We are continuing to improve the bike and constantly trying new things. It’s much better now on the back part of the section and on the run up to Lucky Heights. The bike is turning well, I just need a bit more drive but it will come. To be inside the top 20 is encouraging and we aren’t too far from the 33’s – let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”

Aaron Yates (23rd) – Team Hero EBR: ”The bike is turning better now and I have a better feel which is encouraging. We are still working on the suspension to get more feedback with the tyres but we are definitely moving in the right direction.”

The third practice session will be held at 9:45am tomorrow, with the fastest 20 times across the three practice sessions determining the riders who will battle for final grid positions in Superpole at 3:00pm.

Superbikes are back on track at 0945 Saturday morning for FP3. The fourth timed practice session is scheduled for 1230 before Superpole gets underway at 1500.

World Superbike Free Practice 2

	No. Rider	Nat	Bike
1	22 A.LOWES	GBR	SuzukiGSX-R1000
2	33 M.MELANDRI	ITA	ApriliaRSV4Factory
3	34 D.GIUGLIANO	ITA	Ducati1199PanigaleR
4	1 T. SYKES	GBR	KawasakiZX-10R
5	65 J. REA	GBR	HondaCBR1000RR
6	58 E.LAVERTY	IRL	SuzukiGSX-R1000
7	91 L. HASLAM	GBR	HondaCBR1000RR
8	76 L. BAZ	FRA	KawasakiZX-10R
9	7 C.DAVIES	GBR	Ducati1199PanigaleR
10	50 S.GUINTOLI	FRA	ApriliaRSV4Factory
11	24 T. ELIAS	ESP	ApriliaRSV4Factory
12	59 N.CANEPA	ITA	Ducati1199 PanigaleREVO
13	9 F. FORET	FRA	KawasakiZX-10REVO
14	44 D.SALOM	ESP	KawasakiZX-10REVO
15	14 G.ALLERTON	AUS	BMWS1000RREVO
16	71 C.CORTI	ITA	MVAgustaF4RR
17	32 S.MORAIS	RSA	KawasakiZX-10REVO
18	21 A.ANDREOZZI	ITA	KawasakiZX-10REVO
19	11 J. GUARNONI	FRA	KawasakiZX-10REVO
20	99 G.MAY	USA	EBR1190 RX
21	10 I. TOTH	HUN	BMWS1000RR
22	12 M.WALTERS	AUS	KawasakiZX-10REVO
23	20 A.YATES	USA	EBR1190 RX
24	56 P. SEBESTYEN	HUN	BMWS1000RREVO

Alex Lowes leaves pitlane at Phillip Island this afternoon before setting the quickest 1m31.1 time in FP2.

Turkey’s Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) has resumed front-running service in the world supersport class ahead of the opening race in the championship at Phillip Island this Sunday.

After setting the fastest time in the final pre-season test at Phillip Island earlier this week, Sofuoglu was again the pacesetter as he set a best lap of 1min33.618sec, well ahead of second-placed British rider Kev Coghlan (Yamaha, 1:34.263).

While the session was productive for Sofuoglu, despite his bike expiring at turn one near the end of the 45-minute session, Australia’s big hope Bryan Staring (Honda) crashed at turn six and ended up 13th in the timesheets with a best lap of 1:35.109.

Staring; “I was trying to improve the lap time with the new tyre when I lost the rear. The bike is ok, there isn’t much damage and I’m ok so we will come back tomorrow and keep trying. The test earlier in the week went ok and we have consistency on our side we just need to find a little bit more.”

The crash was a real setback for the ex-MotoGP rider from Perth, who was already playing catch-up on his competitors after a condensed pre-season on the CBR600RR – basically the two-day test at Phillip Island on Monday and Tuesday.

Another big-name to crash was Dutchman Michael van der Mark (Honda), who is expected to push Sofuoglu all the way in 2014.

Van der Mark (1:34.294) was fourth in practice two, behind Raffaele de Rosa (Honda, 1:34.277) and ahead of Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta, 1:34.337) and Patrick Jacobsen (Kawasaki, 1:34.366).

Rivamoto Honda new signing Bryan Staring ended the session 13th quickest, 1.5 seconds behind pacesetter Sofuoglu, and three places ahead of fellow Australian Billy McConnell.

Wildcard Racing entrant Ryan Taylor finished the session in 23rd place with a 1m37.303.

The World Supersport riders have one final free practice session at 1045 tomorrow before the all- important 45 minute session to decide the starting grid, which is scheduled to take place at 1555 local time.

World Supersport Free Practice 2

	No. Rider	Nat	Team	Bike	Time	Gap	Rel.	Laps	Avg	Max
1	54 K.SOFUOGLU	TUR	MAHIRacingTeamIndia	KawasakiZX-6R	1’33.618			22	170,929	272,7
2	88 K.COGHLAN	GBR	DMC Panavto-Yamaha	YamahaYZFR6	1’34.263	0.645	0.645	19	169,759	270,0
3	35 R.DEROSA	ITA	CorePTRHonda	HondaCBR600RR	1’34.277	0.659	0.014	20	169,734	268,0
4	60 M.VDMARK	NED	PATAHondaWorldSupersport	HondaCBR600RR	1’34.294	0.676	0.017	16	169,703	274,1
5	16 J. CLUZEL	FRA	MVAgustaRC-YakhnichM.	MVAgustaF3675	1’34.337	0.719	0.043	18	169,626	272,7
6	99 P. JACOBSEN	USA	KawasakiIntermotoPonyexpres	KawasakiZX-6R	1’34.366	0.748	0.029	16	169,574	264,7
7	14 R.WILAIROT	THA	CorePTRHonda	HondaCBR600RR	1’34.526	0.908	0.160	21	169,287	268,7
8	21 F. MARINO	FRA	KawasakiIntermotoPonyexpres	KawasakiZX-6R	1’34.721	1.103	0.195	14	168,938	268,7
9	5 R.TAMBURINI	ITA	SanCarloPuccettiRacing	KawasakiZX-6R	1’34.729	1.111	0.008	19	168,924	266,7
10	65 V. LEONOV	RUS	MVAgustaRC-YakhnichM.	MVAgustaF3675	1’34.833	1.215	0.104	15	168,739	265,4
11	61 F. MENGHI	ITA	VFTRacing	YamahaYZFR6	1’34.854	1.236	0.021	14	168,701	268,0
12	19 K.WAHR	GER	RSWahrbyKrausRacing	YamahaYZFR6	1’35.072	1.454	0.218	17	168,315	264,7
13	67 B.STARING	AUS	Rivamoto	HondaCBR600RR	1’35.109	1.491	0.037	16	168,249	262,1
14	26 L. ZANETTI	ITA	PATAHondaWorldSupersport	HondaCBR600RR	1’35.140	1.522	0.031	12	168,194	274,8
15	81 G.GOWLAND	GBR	SmithsTriumph	Triumph675R	1’35.195	1.577	0.055	21	168,097	262,1
16	3 B.MCCONNELL	AUS	SmithsTriumph	Triumph675R	1’35.237	1.619	0.042	21	168,023	262,1
17	84 R.RUSSO	ITA	TeamLorini	HondaCBR600RR	1’35.992	2.374	0.755	16	166,701	262,1
18	9 T. COVEÑA	NED	KawasakiPonyexpresIntermoto	KawasakiZX-6R	1’36.148	2.530	0.156	19	166,431	268,7
19	44 R.ROLFO	ITA	Team GOEleven	KawasakiZX-6R	1’36.318	2.700	0.170	18	166,137	261,5
20	11 C.GAMARINO	ITA	TeamGOEleven	KawasakiZX-6R	1’36.617	2.999	0.299	16	165,623	266,7
21	7 N.CALERO	ESP	CIAInsuranceHonda	HondaCBR600RR	1’36.730	3.112	0.113	18	165,430	264,7
22	24 M.BUSSOLOTTI	ITA	TeamLorini	HondaCBR600RR	1’36.912	3.294	0.182	18	165,119	255,3
23	52 R.TAYLOR	AUS	OzWildcardRacing	YamahaYZFR6	1’37.303	3.685	0.391	17	164,455	257,8
24	89 F. ROGERS	GBR	ComPlusSMSRacing	HondaCBR600RR	1’37.378	3.760	0.075	21	164,329	268,0
25	161 A.IVANOV	RUS	DMC Panavto-Yamaha	YamahaYZFR6	1’38.413	4.795	1.035	12	162,600	268,0