WSS test Imola: Crutchlow tops day one standings

World Supersport championship leader Cal Crutchlow picked up where he left of last time out at Donington Park to secure the fastest time at the end of the opening day of testing at Imola. Riding his factory Yamaha R6, Crutchlow set the pace in this morning’s session and then upped it again this afternoon with an impressive 1m 52.990s best.

2007 World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu showed the pace expected of him to secure second fastest. The Turkish rider benefitted from a new specification Ohlins front fork for the test and is still working with the team to establish a base setting following their switch to Ohlins from WP suspension.

Eugene Laverty upped his pace from the opening session to finish third fastest at the end of the opening day. Laverty immediately gelled with the famous Imola circuit, but unlike his main factory rivals won’t get the very latest Pirelli development tyres to test as his Parkalgar Honda team is not a Pirelli development squad.
Laverty said:
“I really like the track, it feels like Mugello, which is my favourite circuit. There are a few places that it needs some attention, but it’s good. We made a good change to the bike mid way through the second session which helped us a lot. The bike was a bit wild over some of the crests, but we’ve lengthened it and it’s working well and we have good grip.
“Since Donington we’ve made a few changes and the whole package is working well.”

1 35 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha World Supersport TeamYamaha YZF R6 1’53.364 1’52.990 1’52.990
2 54 K. SOFUOGLU TUR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’53.627 1’53.933 1’53.627
3 50 E. LAVERTY IRL Parkalgar Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’54.639 1’53.759 1’53.759
4 99 F. FORET FRA Yamaha World Supersport TeamYamaha YZF R6 1’53.988 1’54.447 1’53.988
5 8 M. AITCHISON AUS Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’54.104 1’54.666 1’54.104
6 117 M. PRAIA POR Parkalgar Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’55.135 1’54.403 1’54.403
7 1 A. PITT AUS HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’54.459 1’55.033 1’54.459
8 24 G. MCCOY AUS ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Triumph Daytona 675 1’54.936 1’54.737 1’54.737
9 9 D. DELL’OMO ITA Kuja Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’56.404 1’55.096 1’55.096
10 13 A. WEST AUS Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’55.269 1’55.902 1’55.269
11 25 M. LAVERTY IRL Echo CRS Grand Prix Honda CBR600RR 1’56.119 1’55.502 1’55.502
12 69 G. NANNELLI ITA ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Triumph Daytona 675 1’55.939 1’55.868 1’55.868
13 105 G. VIZZIELLO ITA Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’57.042 1’56.148 1’56.148
14 15 J. O’HALLORAN AUS Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’57.073 1’56.464 1’56.464
15 16 S. LOWES GBR Echo CRS Grand Prix Honda CBR600RR 1’56.697 1’56.792 1’56.697