WSB Imola: Althea Ducati on top in Free Practice

Althea Ducati men Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne topped the time sheets in the opening free practice session at Imola today. The two Ducati men ran at the front for the majority of the session and were backed up by Xerox Ducati rider and 2009 Imola race winner Michel Fabrizio in third.

Speaking to MCN, Shakey said: “We came here with one bike set as we had it for the test here and one bike as we rode it at Nurburgring. The bike from the test initially felt better, but after making the nurburgring bike stiffer I got a really good feeling.

“I put in a new tyre at the end of the session to really push for a lap time but got a bit held up by Toseland on my first lap. I managed an ok lap second time around and finished up less than a tenth off Carlos.”

Jonathan Re was the first non-Ducati rider in fourth onboard his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes made an impressive start to his weekend and held first position towards the end of the session before being relegated to fifth spot.

In terms of the overall championship, series leader Max Biaggi secured ninth place onboard his factory Aprilia with Brit Leon Haslam still struggling with his damaged knee ligaments two places further back in 11th.

1 7 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1’49.070

2 67 S. BYRNE GBR Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1’49.155

3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’49.364

4 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’49.434

5 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’49.554

6 35 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’49.608

7 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’49.674

8 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’49.829

9 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’49.846

10 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’49.865

11 91 L. HASLAM GBR Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’49.964

12 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’50.179

13 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’50.189

14 52 J. TOSELAND GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’50.282

15 99 L. SCASSA ITA Supersonic Racing Team Ducati 1098R 1’50.709

16 76 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.794

17 96 J. SMRZ CZE Team PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’51.006

18 90 F. SANDI ITA Gabrielli Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1’52.605

19 33 F. LAI ITA ECHO CRS Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’53.015

20 95 R. HAYDEN USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’53.022

21 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’53.537

22 5 I. LOWRY GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’54.094