Nurburgring WSB: Checa scorches to provisional pole for Ducati

Following their shock decision to quit WSB at the end of 2010, Ducati had something to cheer about at the end of first qualifying at the Nurburgring with four Ducati riders in the top five.

Spaniard Carlos Checa led the way with a new circuit best lap ahead of BMW mounted Troy Corser with Ducati riders Michel Fabrizio, Shane Byrne and Noriyuki Haga occupying the next three places.

Max Biaggi set the fastest time in the opening free practice session but ended the day in sixth onboard his factory Aprilia ahead of Silverstone winner Cal Crutchlow.

Last years race winner Jonathan Rea was eighth onboard his Ten Kate Honda with a fired up Tom Sykes in tenth ahead of Leon Haslam.

Leon Camier claimed 16th with James Toseland in 18th and stand in Kawasaki rider Ian Lowry in 19th.

1 7 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1’55.232
2 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’55.447
3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’55.753
4 67 S. BYRNE GBR Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1’55.998
5 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’56.024
6 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’56.077
7 35 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’56.169
8 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’56.253
9 96 J. SMRZ CZE Team PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’56.340
10 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’56.436
11 91 L. HASLAM GBR Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’56.617
12 76 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’56.617
13 99 L. SCASSA ITA Supersonic Racing Team Ducati 1098R 1’56.734
14 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’56.799
15 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’56.819 1.587
16 2 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’56.825
17 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’56.838
18 52 J. TOSELAND GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’57.001
19 5 I. LOWRY GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’58.403
20 95 R. HAYDEN USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’58.794
21 33 F. LAI ITA ECHO CRS Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’59.319
22 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 2’00.736