WSB Assen: Spies on provisional pole

Factory Yamaha man Ben Spies once again showed the established stars of WSB how it’s done with a another impressive performance to secure provisional pole. The 25 year old American was the only rider to dip into the 1m 38’s finishing 0.308 seconds ahead of his closest rival Jacob Smrz in second place.

Speaking to MCN, Spies said: “What can I say, I didn’t know the track so I gave it 110% on  every corner of every lap – it’s good when it all clicks.

“In Qatar I did a similar job and everyone got excited. If I’m in this position on Sunday night I’ll be happy but this is only Friday qualifying.”

Third place went to a resurgent Yukio Kagayama with Spaniard Carlos Checa rounding out the provisional front row.

The honour of top Brit went to Jonathan Rea in eight spot – 0.612 seconds off pole. Rea who tested a new electronics package last week remains up beat about his chances having improved the power delivery of his Honda dramatically.

He said:

“I didn’t know if the new settings were going to work as well when we got to a big track like Assen, but they have. It’s solved our major problem and it’s made the bike much easier to ride.”

Second Qualifying gets underway at 10.45am local time on Saturday 

1 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’38.747 25 166,061 280,1
2 96 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1’39.055 0.308 0.308 20 165,544 280,1
3 71 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’39.128 0.381 0.073 24 165,422 282,3
4 7 C. CHECA ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.141 0.394 0.013 23 165,401 279,3
5 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’39.238 0.491 0.097 21 165,239 282,3
6 55 R. LACONI FRA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’39.246 0.499 0.008 20 165,226 276,5
7 76 M.NEUKIRCHNER GER Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’39.265 0.518 0.019 25 165,194 283,0
8 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.359 0.612 0.094 27 165,038 280,1
9 9 R. KIYONARI JPN Ten Kate Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.506 0.759 0.147 24 164,794 280,8
10 91 L. HASLAM GBR Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.585 0.838 0.079 19 164,663 276,5
11 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’39.597 0.850 0.012 22 164,644 277,9
12 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’39.621 0.874 0.024 23 164,604 279,3
13 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R 1’39.784 1.037 0.163 25 164,335 277,9
14 31 K. MUGGERIDGE AUS Celani Race Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’39.897 1.150 0.113 22 164,149 274,4
15 66 T. SYKES GBR Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’39.899 1.152 0.002 19 164,146 280,8
16 3 M.BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’39.934 1.187 0.035 25 164,088 281,5
17 56 S. NAKANO JPN Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’40.199 1.452 0.265 19 163,654 278,6
18 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’40.349 1.602 0.150 19 163,410 271,6
19 33 T. HILL GBR Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’40.617 1.870 0.268 21 162,974 276,5
20 25 D. SALOM ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’40.853 2.106 0.236 23 162,593 275,1
21 24 B. ROBERTS AUS Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1’40.944 2.197 0.091 22 162,447 274,4
22 77 V. IANNUZZO ITA Squadra Corse Italia Honda CBR1000RR 1’41.014 2.267 0.070 21 162,334 273,0
23 99 L. SCASSA ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’41.085 2.338 0.071 23 162,220 266,9
24 100 M. TAMADA JPN Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’41.165 2.418 0.080 24 162,092 275,1
25 32 S. EASTON GBR Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’41.355 2.608 0.190 22 161,788 278,6
26 15 M.BAIOCCO ITA PSG1-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’41.363 2.616 0.008 22 161,775 275,8
27 94 D. CHECA ESP Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone Yamaha YZF R1 1’41.823 3.076 0.460 16 161,044 270,2
28 88 R. RESCH AUT TKR Suzuki Switzerland Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’41.978