Phillip Island WSS: Lascorz from Laverty in first qualifying

Eugene Laverty had to settle for second position behind Joan Lascorz in the opening qualifying session today despite an impressive final lap which escalated him up the leader board.

Onboard the Parkalgar Honda, Laverty made his usual methodical approach to the session concentrating on race set-up and tyre choice in preparation for Sunday’s race.

Speaking to MCN, Laverty said: “From the testing we’ve done it’s pointing to us using the bigger tyre, but we do have a little bit of work to do on initial side grip.

“Lascorz is riding well and his bike has improved but he’s spinning his rear tyre a lot to get this bike to turn, which could hurt his tyre over a full race.

“I already think that it’s going to be another classic Phillip Island race on Sunday with the usual guys plus a few wild cards up front.

“We just need to see what the track temperature does because that makes a big difference around here.”

Chaz Davies made constant improvements during the session ending up in sixth onboard his BE1 Triumph.

He said: “We’re getting there, we made a big step this afternoon, but we need to make another step tomorrow. Our main issue is with grip from the rear tyre.”

Gino Rea ended his first day in the World Supersport class in 13th place onboard the Intermoto Czech Honda.

1 26 J. LASCORZ ESP Kawasaki Motocard.com Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’34.629
2 50 E. LAVERTY IRL Parkalgar Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’34.634
3 54 K. SOFUOGLU TUR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’34.683
4 37 K. FUJIWARA JPN Kawasaki Motocard.com Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’34.783
5 51 M. PIRRO ITA HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’34.918
6 7 C. DAVIES GBR ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Triumph Daytona 675 1’34.939
7 99 F. FORET FRA Team Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’35.233
8 117 M. PRAIA POR Parkalgar Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’35.762
9 16 S. CHARPENTIER FRA ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Triumph Daytona 675 1’36.039
10 40 J. DISALVO USA ParkinGO BE1 Triumph Triumph Daytona 675 1’36.208
11 127 R. HARMS DEN Harms Benjan Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’36.295
12 55 M. ROCCOLI ITA Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR 1’36.345
13 4 G. REA GBR Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR 1’37.015
14 5 A. LUNDH SWE Cresto Guide Racing Team Honda CBR600RR 1’37.608
15 9 D. DELL’OMO ITA Kuja Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’38.402
16 33 P. CAZZOLA ITA Kuja Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’39.272