Phillip Island World Superbikes: Andrew Pitt uses anger to take provisional pole

Andrew Pitt put his provisional pole position for Sunday World Supersport race at Phillip Island down to still being angry after being taken out by his team-mate Jonathan Rea in last weekends Qatar race.

Pitt topped the time sheets in both sessions today and is determined to get his title campaign off the ground with a strong result in front of his home crowd.

Andrew Pitt set a best lap of 1min35.426secs compared to a 1min35.0secs best in testing at the start of the year.

Speaking to MCN the former champion said: “Compared with the test here in January I’m just lacking a bit of side grip when I open the throttle.

“The rear seems to be moving a bit and sometimes it’s a little unpredictable.

“I’m using a set-up pretty similar to what I had in Qatar for the race. That’s what I’ve been working on today and tomorrow I’ll work on tyres.

“This morning it was more of a tactical decision to wait until the last eight minutes of the session.

“I know it dries pretty quickly around here and there was no point riding around on wets. Once the conditions improved I put on dry tyres and went out and set a time.

“After what happened last weekend, I’m still angry and it hasn’t subsided since last week, which is good and I’m ready to go.”

Second and third spot were taken by the factory Yamaha team of Broc Parkes and Fabien Foret with Stiggy Honda rider Josh Brookes in fourth.

Jonathan Rea ended up in seventh place with a time 1.392 seconds slower than his testing best, which was put down to reduced grip.

Chris Walker claimed 14th place after struggling with chatter through some of the faster sections of track onboard his Gil Motorsport Kawasaki.

Last week’s podium man Craig Jones was way down in 19th after persevering with a new gear box, which prevented him from pushing for a quick lap.

Graeme Gowland moved up from 31st to 26th and is currently 3.125 seconds off pole onboard his Benjan Racing Honda.

Phillip Island World Supersport qualifying one results:

1 A. PITT AUS Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’35.426
2 B. PARKES AUS Yamaha World Supersport 1’35.506
3 F. FORET FRA Yamaha World Supersport 1’35.674
4 J. BROOKES AUS Hannspree Stiggy Motors. Honda 1’35.788
5 G. VIZZIELLO ITA Berry Racing Honda 1’35.808
6 I. CLEMENTI ITA Triumph Italia BE1 Racing 1’35.920
7 J. REA GBR Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’36.392
8 J. LASCORZ ESP Glaner Motocard.com Honda 1’36.501
9 G. NANNELLI ITA Hannspree Honda Althea 1’36.565
10 G. MCCOY AUS Triumph – SC 1’36.577
11 D. SALOM ESP Yamaha Spain 1’36.581
12 M. LAGRIVE FRA Intermoto Czech Honda 1’36.689
13 R. HARMS DEN Hannspree Stiggy Motors. Honda 1’36.941
14 C. WALKER GBR Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport 1’37.028
15 D. VAN KEYMEULEN BEL Ressoftware Hoegee 1’37.069
16 B. VENEMAN NED Ressoftware Hoegee Suzuki 1’37.146
17 M. ROCCOLI ITA Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni 1’37.152
18 G. LEBLANC FRA CRS Grand Prix Honda 1’37.294
19 C. JONES GBR Parkalgar Racing Team Honda 1’37.340
20 M. GIANSANTI ITA Berry Racing Honda 1’37.586
21 K. FUJIWARA JPN Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport 1’37.680
22 A. ANTONELLI ITA Hannspree Honda Althea 1’37.899
23 L. ALFONSI ITA PMS Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’38.077
24 V. KALLIO FIN Benjan Racing Team Honda 1’38.143
25 W.DE ANGELIS RSM Intermoto Czech Honda 1’38.536
26 G. GOWLAND GBR Benjan Racing Team Honda 1’38.551
27 M. AITCHISON AUS Triumph Italia BE1 Racing 1’38.678
28 M. PRAIA POR Parkalgar Racing Team Honda 1’38.785
29 A. VINCENT FRA Gil Motor Sport – Solution F 1’39.180
30 D. DELL’OMO ITA HP Racing Team Honda 1’39.276
31 S. BARRAGAN ESP Glaner Motocard.com Honda 1’39.333
32 G. TALMACSI HUN Factory Racing Honda 1’39.600
33 A. MAGDA HUN Factory Racing Honda 1’40.222
34 L. NEDOG SLO CRS Grand Prix Honda 1’40.310
35 J. PEDRO SUBIRATS ESP Yamaha Spain 1’42.189
36 I. DIONISI ITA Triumph – SC 1’43.106