Misano WSB: Smrz denies Spies of eighth consecutive pole

Guandalini Ducati rider Jacob Smrz ended Ben Spies unprecedented run of pole positions by securing the fastest lap time in the three stage Superpole shootout at Misano this afternoon. Using a new multi lap Pirelli qualifying tyre the Czech rider set a stunning 1m35.435s best to set a new circuit best lap in the process.
Smrz has shown throughout 2009 that he is capable of putting in fast laps, but with only one WSB podium to his credit needs to replicate the same pace in the two races.
He said:
“I’m really happy with this result. Ben has been doing an incredible job in Superpole this year so it feels good to beat him. But this is qualifying and I want the same results in the race.”
Britain’s Jonathan Rea continued his constant progression up the leader board by running at the front throughout second qualifying and Superpole today. The Ten Kate man secured his first front row start since the opening round of the championship at Phillip Island and starts tomorrows races in confident mood.
He said:
“We’ve got three Honda’s in the top six and my bike is working really well. We’ve found good benefits with the new suspension and we’re not even close to the limit in terms of set-up. Compared to the championship leaders I’ve got nothing to lose, so I’m going to be going out there to give them hell. I’m more confident than I’ve been all year.”
American Superpole sensation Ben Spies had to settle for third position at Misano after he was unable to get back on track in time to respond to Smrz’s incredible Superpole lap. The American will still start from the front row with Italian Michel Fabrizio in fourth place.
Spies said: “We just didn’t have the pace today, I tried as hard as I could but it didn’t pan out. Smrz and Rea did a great job and hopefully they can be up there tomorrow to mix the championship up a bit. Looking at the times I think myself and Fabrizio have good pace. Hopefully it will be dry, but if it’s not we’ll go and play in the rain.”
Sterilgarda Ducati rider Shane Byrne rode well in Superpole to make it through to the final split and take fifth spot ahead of factory rider and championship leader Noriyuki Haga. Spaniard Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari round out the second row of the grid in seventh and eight respectively.
Leon Haslam claimed tenth but remains confident in the race set-up of his Stiggy Honda. Tom Sykes will start from the fourth row in 14th place.

1 96 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1’37.710 1’57.401 30 1’35.435 1’35.435 159,413
2 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.238 1’55.092 28 1’35.609 0.174 1’35.609 159,123
3 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’37.102 1’57.259 29 1’35.631 0.196 1’35.631 159,086
4 84 M.FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’37.016 1’55.508 33 1’35.811 0.376 1’35.811 158,788
5 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R 1’37.898 1’56.053 27 1’36.224 0.789 1’36.224 158,106
6 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’37.451 1’58.174 32 1’36.277 0.842 1’36.277 158,019
7 7 C. CHECA ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.441 1’56.402 31 1’36.537 1.102 1’36.537 157,593
8 9 R. KIYONARI JPN Ten Kate Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.396 1’56.470 29 1’36.884 1.449 1’36.884 157,029
————————————————– Superpole 2 ————————————————–
9 3 M.BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’37.813 1’57.935 43 1’36.439 1’36.439 157,754
10 91 L. HASLAM GBR Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.490 1’56.521 24 1’36.510 0.071 1’36.510 157,638
11 10 F. NIETO ESP Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’37.979 2’01.357 31 1’36.510 0.071 1’36.510 157,638
12 56 S. NAKANO JPN Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’37.630 1’59.336 36 1’36.682 0.243 1’36.682 157,357
13 71 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’37.209 1’58.571 36 1’36.916 0.477 1’36.916 156,977
14 66 T. SYKES GBR Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’37.992 1’55.439 31 1’36.978 0.539 1’36.978 156,877
15 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’37.503 1’54.503 36 1’36.994 0.555 1’36.994 156,851
16 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’37.702 2’04.986 28 1’37.209 0.770 1’37.209 156,504
————————————————– Superpole 1 ————————————————–
17 36 G.LAVILLA ESP Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1’37.786 2’00.159 32 1’37.266 1’37.266 156,412
18 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’37.773 1’55.568 29 1’37.300 0.034 1’37.300 156,358
19 23 B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’37.281 1’58.472 26 1’37.361 0.095 1’37.361 156,260
20 2 J. HACKING USA Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’38.441 1’54.626 38 1’38.558 1.292 1’38.558 154,362
————————————————– Others in Grid ————————————————–
21 25 D. SALOM ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’38.522 2’04.154 29 1’38.522 154,418
22 14 M.LAGRIVE FRA Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’38.671 1’59.754 35 1’38.671 154,185
23 99 L. SCASSA ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’38.755 1’54.527 38 1’38.755 154,054
24 15 M.BAIOCCO ITA PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’38.827 1’56.811 39 1’38.827 153,942
25 94 D. CHECA ESP Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone Yamaha YZF R1 1’38.828 1’59.799 29 1’38.828 153,940
26 121 J. HOPKINS USA Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’38.856 21 1’38.856 153,897
27 77 V. IANNUZZO ITA Squadra Corse Italia Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.067 2’00.682 32 1’39.067 153,569
28 53 A. POLITA ITA Celani Race Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’39.308 1’57.284 38 1’39.308 153,196
29 88 R. RESCH AUT TKR Suzuki Switzerland Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’40.489 1’58.406 21 1’40.489 151,396