Nicky Hayden tops WorldSBK Day One at Misano
The first day of track action at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli saw Kentucky Kid Nicky Hayden set the fastest lap of the day, as the American WorldSBK rookie put his Honda at the top of the timesheets. Misano veteran Hayden headed fellow WorldSBK rookie Markus Reiterberger in P2 in an impressive showing for Althea BMW, ahead of KRT rider Tom Sykes – the man who has been on pole for the last 4 weekends at Misano.
Ducati’s Davide Giugliano ended Day 1 in P4 as the fastest Italian and fastest Ducati, ahead of second Althea BMW rider Jordi Torres who locked out the top 5. Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Championship challenger Chaz Davies was sixth fastest on the first day of track action, just ahead of Pata Yamaha rider Alex Lowes.
Lowes, after breaking his collarbone in Malaysia, was back on track to head the Pata Yamaha charge at the home Round for their Italian title sponsor, with the Brit having tested at Misano despite his injury and able to take part in the weekend after the disappointment of having missed his home Round at Donington Park. Lowes ended Day 1 in P7 and goes straight to Tissot-Superpole 2, with temporary teammate Niccolo Canepa – in for injured Sylvain Guintoli – looking to join him by graduating from Superpole 1 after ending the day in P14.
Reigning Champion Jonathan Rea ended Day 1 in P8 and safely moves into Tissot-Superpole 2, ahead of Honda rider Michael van der Mark in P9. The final top 10 rider of the day was Xavi Forés for Barni Racing, who just edged out Italian rookie Lorenzo Savadori. Aprilia rider Savadori had positive pace and just missed the cut, and will be looking to put that right in Superpole 1. Leon Camier had a difficult first day for fellow Italian marque MV Agusta, rounding out the top 15 and hoping for a big improvement in qualifying to continue his run of incredible form.
Anthony West was 12th quickest on the Pedercini Kawasaki while Josh Brookes ended day one in 18th position.
WorldSBK Fastest on Friday
- Nicky Hayden Honda World Superbike Team 1:35.263
- Markus Reiterberger Althea BMW Racing Team +0.122
- Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team +0.125
P1 – Nicky Hayden –Â Honda World Superbike Team
“We started off with a good base setting because luckily for us we tested here a few weeks ago, and the bike was working quite good. We made a few adjustments. The afternoon actually wasn’t a great session for me – we had a few little problems – but I’m happy to be fastest! I´m not happy with my rhythm but at the end on a new tyre I was quickest and for me, we did a really good lap time. “
P2 – Markus Reiterberger –Â Althea BMW Racing TeamÂ
“For me the day was really good. We started with a good base setting and only made some small adjustments to the bike and electronics. I feel really good on the bike and in the second session we tested a lot of tyres and I felt good. We did some really good, really fast laps so I feel good about tomorrow.”
P3 – Tom Sykes –Â Kawasaki Racing TeamÂ
“It’s a good start and right away we had really good pace so I’m a bit surprised because we didn’t test here. We weren’t as consistent as we’d like and we had a small crash being caught out by the rear tyre into T2 but we have good information and I´m confident for tomorrow. We didn’t go the right way at the end of the session but it was one way or the other and now we know – I can sleep easy!”
P4 – Davide Giugliano –Â Aruba.it Racing Ducati
“Today was good and we did a lot of work so I’m happy. This morning I was fast and this afternoon very fast, and also consistent. I have a good basis for tomorrow and now I’ll go to the garage and speak with my crew to make a little step for tomorrow.”
WorldSSP: Sofuoglu Quickest on Day 1
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Kenan Sofuoglu went quickest on Day 1 at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, with the Turk laying down a marker in FP2 to lead the charge to Tissot-Superpole 2. Rookie Federico Caricasulo was second quickest in the combined times after also impressing during the morning session, with the Italian rookie flying the flag in preparation for his second home Round.
Sofuoglu’s rookie teammate Randy Krummenacher, who is a veteran of the circuit, was fastest in the morning before ending the day third quickest on the combined timesheets as he pushes to close down Sofuoglu in the title fight. MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider Jules Cluzel continued his return to the top echelons of WorldSSP in P4 overall, ahead of Honda rider PJ Jacobsen, who counts Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli as a favourite in his quest for his first victory of the season. The group of title contenders all circulated within around 3 tenths of each other, proving a tantalizing preview of the Race that could be in store on Sunday.
GRT Racing Team rider Gino Rea was P6 overall on his MV Agusta as the Brit put in a lap just quicker than another Italian in the form of Christian Gamarino, who ended Day 1 in P7. Alessandro Zaccone flew the flag for San Carlo Team Italia at a home Round for both rider and team, with the young FIM Europe Supersport Cup rider proving the fastest of the ESS field in P8, ahead of fellow ESS rider Ilya Mikhalchik. Roberto Rolfo locked out the top ten at his home Round, followed by compatriots Alex Baldolini and Ayrton Badovini as the local favourites battle it out for home glory.
Aiden Wagner ended the opening day in 30th position while Lachlan Epis was 32nd on the timesheets. Glenn Scott remains out with injury.
WorldSSP Fastest on Friday
- Kenan Sofuoglu Kawasaki Puccetti Racing 1:38.892
- Federico Caricasulo Bardahl Evan Bros Honda Racing +0.051
- Randy Krummenacher Kawasaki Puccetti Racing +0.113
P1 – Kenan Sofuoglu –Â Kawasaki Puccetti Racing
“Today actually wasn’t easy. Maybe we don’t have a very good setup or the tyre…I don’t know. I didn’t try to be fastest, I tried to set up my bike and find the correct gearing and find the right setup for my race simulation. That wasn’t bad, my simulation was quite constant and I’ll push myself and the team to improve the bike for tomorrow. Today we were fastest but I believe the lap time can be better than what we did today.”
