Monza WSB: Melandri leads the pack into superpole

Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) used his Friday lap time to enter Superpole as fastest rider after combined qualifying.

Heavy overnight thunderstorms ensured that track conditions did not improve today, although the track was fully dry in almost all areas.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda Word Superbike) remained second because of his Friday time and although Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing) was one of few top riders to improve today, he remained third overall.

Tom Sykes went faster but also could not improve his overall position and he keeps his fourth place on the first KRT Superbike, ahead of a clutch of Aprilia riders. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing) jumped to fifth, from Davide Giugliano (Althea) and Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma).

Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) was ninth, Chaz Davies 11th (BMW Motorrad Gold Bet) 11th.

Superpole for the top 15 riders will now determined the final grid positions for the front five rows.

Carlos Checa (Ducati Alstare), who tried to ride despite a severely inflamed left shoulder from an old crash in Australia, withdrew from the event after riding in two sessions on Friday. He now hopes to be fully fit for the Donington round on May 26.