WSS Valencia: Lascorz Pips Crutchlow in Final Practice

Kawasaki’s Joan Lascorz just beat Britain’s Cal Crutchlow to head the timesheets in the final practice session for the World Supersport race at Valencia today.

The Spaniard ripped his ZX-6R round the 2.487-mile Ricardo Tormo circuit in 1m 35.948s – the fastest supersport lap ever recorded here – to head Crutchlow, on the factory Yamaha YZF R6, by 0.363s.

But Crutchlow’s lap was itself below the previous best of 1m 36.649s set by Lascorz in 2008 on a Honda CBR600. Crutchlow’s searing pace was almost echoed by Britain’s other contender for the World Supersport title, Eugene Laverty, who finished fifth fastest in the session in 1m 37.351s on his Parkalgar Honda.

Laverty traditionally takes a slower approach to the build-up to a race weekend, and he is clearly positioning himself to launch a repeat of his win in the previous round at Qatar.

Australian Anthony West, rebuilding his career after losing a Kawasaki MotoGP ride last year, finished third fastest on a Stiggy Honda, from Michele Pirro (Yamaha).

Championship leader Andrew Pitt finished 12th fastest on his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda in 1m 37.701s, 1.753s behind Lascorz.