Monza World Superbikes: Jakub Smrz surprise fastest in practice

Jacob Smrtz was the surprise fastest man in the opening free practice session at Monza today (Friday).

Looking smooth and controlled onboard his Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098 RS 08 the 25-year-old Czech rider set his fast lap on his final circulation to nudge out the on-form German Max Neukirchner.

Karl Muggeridge was back on the pace and took third helped by his impressive top speed of 199.3mph set at the end of the front straight onboard his D.F Racing Honda CBR1000RR.

Championship leader Troy Bayliss made it two Ducati’s in the top four and showed that despite their relative lack of top speed the all round Ducati package will work well at the high speed Italian track.

The fast Alstare Suzuki’s were expected to be quick at Monza and delivered on that promise with all three of their riders in the top six after Yukio Kagayama took fifth and Fonsi Nieto sixth.

Reigning World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu was the surprise fastest Ten Kate Honda in seventh with the high speed and hard braking clearly suiting his committed style. Team-mate Carlos Checa took eighth first time at the track.

Last year’s Monza double victor Noriyuki Haga made a slow start clocking the tenth fastest time with his team-mate Troy Corser five places back in 15th.

Monza World Superbike free practice one results:

1 Jakub SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing by Grifo’s Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’46.712
2 Max NEUKIRCHNER GER Team Alstare Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’46.772
3 Karl MUGGERIDGE AUS D.F. Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’46.812
4 Troy BAYLISS AUS Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08 1’46.882
5 Yukio KAGAYAMA JPN Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’46.970
6 Fonsi NIETO ESP Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’46.981
7 Kenan SOFUOGLU TUR Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Jr. Honda CBR1000RR 1’47.326
8 Carlos CHECA ESP Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’47.336
9 Regis LACONI FRA Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’47.381
10 Noriyuki HAGA JPN Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1 1’47.436
11 Ayrton BADOVINI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’47.448
12 Ryuichi KIYONARI JPN Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’47.642
13 Ruben XAUS ESP Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’47.733
14 Max BIAGGI ITA Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’47.765
15 Troy CORSER AUS Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1 1’47.859
16 Makoto TAMADA JPN Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’47.992
17 Michel FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08 1’48.468
18 Shinichi NAKATOMI JPN YZF Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R1 1’48.485
19 Gregorio LAVILLA ESP Ventaxia VK Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’48.499
20 Sebastien GIMBERT FRA Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 Yamaha YZF-R1 1’48.857
21 Vittorio IANNUZZO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’49.118
22 Shuhei AOYAMA JPN Alto Evolution Honda Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’49.392
23 Lorenzo MAURI ITA Spring Ducati ASD Ducati 999 RS 1’49.433
24 Russel HOLLAND AUS D.F. Racing – Bertocchi Honda CBR1000RR 1’49.708
25 Giovanni BUSSEI ITA Hannspree Honda Althea Honda CBR1000RR 1’49.926
26 Luca MORELLI ITA Alto Evolution Honda Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.072
27 Lorenzo LANZI ITA R.G. Team Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’50.093
28 Loic NAPOLEONE FRA Grillini PBR Team Yamaha YZF-R1 1’51.465
29 Michael BECK USA Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 Yamaha YZF-R1 1’53.275