WSB: Vermeulen on pole

Chris Vermeulen will start the Imola round of the World Superbike championship from pole position after a Superpole lap around 0.5 seconds faster than the rest of the field.

Second fastest was factory Ducati rider Regis Laconi, returning following injury. Third was championship leader Tory Corser, with Britain’s James Toseland fourth quickest. The injured Chris Walker finished Superpole as the 16th quickest.

1. Vermeulen 1:48.075.

2. Laconi 1:48.506.

3. Corser 1:48.649.

4. Toseland 1:48.867.

5. Lanzi 1:48.923.

6. Haga 1:49.094.

7. Kagayama 1:49.271.

8. Bostrom 1:49.300.

9. Pitt 1:49.601.

10. Muggeridge 1:49.845.

11. Martin 1:49.977.

12. Neukirchner 1:49.994.

13. Abe 1:50.247.

14. Chili 1:50.588.

15. Gimbert 1:50.649.

16. Walker 1:50.749.

17. Bussei

18. Vizziello.

19. Nieto.

20. Borciani.

21. Silva.

22. Sanchini.

23. McCoy.

24. Clementi.

25. Lucchiari.

26. Pini.

27. Velini.

28. Zannini.

29. Pedercini.

30. Mazzali.

31. Gramigni.

32. Prattichizzo.

33. Nickmans.

34. Mrkyvka.

Pole position for the Supersport race has gone to Charpentier, followed by Foret and Nannelli. Kenan Sofuoglu is on pole for the Superstock 1000 race, with Britain’s Richard Cooper in 19th. The Superstock 600 grid is headed by Canepa. Patrick McDougall starts from 23rd, Barry Burrell from 26th, and Chris Northover from 35th.