Checa in control as Corser crashes out

Carlos Checa picked up where he left of at Miller two weeks ago by dominating both Free Practice and First Qualifying at Misano today. The Althea Ducati rider found his rhythm to post consistent fast laps to stay ahead of career long rival Max Biaggi on his Alitalia Aprilia.

Checa said: “Right now everything is going really. From Miller where I won both races to hear where I am fast. This morning I had some problems with the grip and also felt a little bit tired, but for this afternoon we made some small changes and my feeling was much better. Now even if it rains tomorrow we are in a good position.”

Marco Melandri finished the day in third position but told  MCN there is still more to come especially with the feeling on the front of his R1 and with corner speed and corner exit in the slower parts of the track. 

Michel Fabrizio is clearly getting to grips with the Alsater Suzuki and after impressing at Miller was once again fast at a circuit he knows well.

Troy Corser ended the day fifth, but in the medical centre after a heavy high side in qualifying at turn eight. The BMW rider was dumped onto his back and the session was red flagged. Corser was initially thought to be seriously injured but is essentially ok but suffering from a heavy impact to his middle back. It remains unclear of he will ride tomorrow.

He said: “Coming out Quercia corner, I was highsided and took a heavy fall. It was on the second lap on the tyre, but I don’t know if that was a contributory factor or not and we will have to look at the telemetry to see what went on. All I know is that I am pretty sore. I took a hit to the back of my neck and also my right hip and for sure I’m going to be pretty second-hand tonight. I don’t know how it’s all going to feel in the morning, but I’ll have another medical check and then we’ll decide if I am fit enough to take part tomorrow. It’s a real shame because things had gone pretty reasonably today and I was happy enough with fifth on day one. Now we’ll have to see what happens tomorrow morning and how I feel.

Misano Adriatico – SUPERBIKE – Qualifying 1

1.  Carlos ChecaDucati (Althea Racing) 1’36.024 1098R
2.  Max BiaggiAprilia RSV4 (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) 1’36.149 Factory
3.  Marco MelandriYamaha YZF (Yamaha World Superbike Team) 1’36.482 R1
4.  Michel FabrizioSuzuki (Team Suzuki Alstare) 1’36.546 GSX-R1000
5.  Troy CorserBMW S1000 (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 1’36.656 RR
6.  Eugene LavertyYamaha YZF (Yamaha World Superbike Team) 1’36.683 R1
7.  Jakub SmrzDucati (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) 1’36.713 1098R
8.  Noriyuki HagaAprilia RSV4 (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) 1’36.728 Factory
9.  Sylvain GuintoliDucati (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) 1’36.753 1098R
10.  Tom SykesKawasaki (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) 1’36.793 ZX-10R
11.  Leon HaslamBMW S1000 (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 1’36.810 RR
12.  Jonathan ReaHonda (Castrol Honda) 1’36.824 CBR1000RR
13.  Leon CamierAprilia (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) 1’36.984 RSV4 Factory
14.  Ayrton BadoviniBMW (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) 1’37.059 S1000 RR
15.  Matteo BaioccoDucati (Barni Racing Team S.N.C.) 1’37.073 1098R
16.  Joan LascorzKawasaki (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1’37.080 ZX-10R
17.  Ruben XausHonda (Castrol Honda) 1’37.093 CBR1000RR
18.  Alessandro PolitaDucati (Barni Racing Team S.N.C.) 1’37.290 1098R
19.  Roberto RolfoKawasaki (Team Pedercini) 1’37.412 ZX-10R
20.  Maxime BergerDucati (Supersonic Racing Team) 1’37.432 1098R
21.  Mark AitchisonKawasaki (Team Pedercini) 1’37.433 ZX-10R
22.  Chris VermeulenKawasaki (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1’37.754 ZX-10R
23.  Lorenzo LanziBMW S1000 (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) 1’38.003 RR