WSB Superpole: Haslam on front row

Leon Haslam made the most of the wet track conditions to storm to second position and a front row start for tomorrow’s two World Superbike races at Donington Park.

The PATA Honda rider excelled in the difficult conditions to post a best time of 1’45.009 on his final lap.

It marked a welcome return for Haslam to a front row grid position. His last front row came in Moscow in 2012 when he qualified fourth at a time when there were still four riders on each row.

Speaking to MCN, Haslam said: “The rain is obviously a big leveller. In this mornings session it was wet and I stayed out and made some good progress and earlier in the year I felt good and came through the field at Assen.

“It’s been a tough start to the season, especially in the dry and as Jonny (Rea) has proved the bike is competitive. After the last round at Imola we did a one day test where we learned a lot and that along with being on the front row for tomorrow should definitely help.”

Pole position went to the hard charging factory Ducati man Davide Giugliano. The Italian pusjhed throughout the session and despite crashing out on his final lap set the feastest wet time of the day.

It was a good day for fellow Italian Marco Melandri, who after a disappointing start to the season with Aprilia set the third fastest time to secure his place on the front row.

Voltcom Crescent Suzuki rider Alex Lowes was in contention for a front row start all session, but ultimately had to settle for fourth place.

“I feel good in the wet or dry. I just missed out on getting another lap which was a shame as I think I would have gone a few tenths quicker. I just treated the session like it was a race, I stayed out on track and built up.”

Yesterday pace setter Tom Sykes was unable to replicate his dry track dominance finishing in seventh place. The reighning world champion is focussed on replicating his double win at the track 12 months ago, espevcially after a disappointing Imola round.

Championship leader Jonathan Rea led the session early on and looks odds on for a front row start, but an innocuous crash meant he was forced out during the second half of the session and slipped from provisional pole down to ninth.

1 34 D. GIUGLIANO ITA Ducati Superbike Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’44.903
2 91 L. HASLAM GBR PATA Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’45.009
3 33 M.MELANDRI ITA Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’45.111
4 22 A. LOWES GBR Voltcom Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX- 1’45.258
5 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’45.839
6 76 L. BAZ FRA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’46.058
7 1 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R  1’46.241
8 65 J. REA GBR PATA Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’46.306
9 24 T. ELIAS ESP Red Devils Roma Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’46.326
10 58 E. LAVERTY IRL Voltcom Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000  1’47.963
11 7 C. DAVIES GBR Ducati Superbike Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’50.099
12 86 A. BADOVINI ITA Team Bimota Alstare Bimota BB3 EVO 2