Donington WSB: Fabrizio takes over night pole

Damp but drying conditions made for an interesting World Superbike first qualifying session at Donington Park, and it was Xerox Ducati’s Michel Fabrizio who came out on top.

Britain’s Leon Haslam on the Stiggy Honda picked up second place but feels once his bike has been tuned into the flowing Donington circuit there is more to come.

He said: “I’ve been front row in the wet and in the dry so that is encouraging. The times are faster than in BSB so I’m happy with that as the BSB guys have had a full weekend here.

“I put in consistent times which kept me in the top five so I’m pleased. We just need to fine tune the bike, I’m losing 0.4secs in the last split. I have a bit of a braking issue but mainly it is on acceleration. Out of turns I’ve no traction control but we plan to introduce it.”

Yamaha’s Ben Spies was third fastest in the drying conditions. The American has raced at Donington Park before when he rode to the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team. Track knowledge coupled with his ability is sure to see him in a strong position come race day.

Former British Superbike Champion Gregorio Lavilla made a welcome return to the provisional front row of the grid. The Spaniard has stepped into the gap left by the injured Brendan Roberts and is riding for the Guandalini Ducati Team. 

Leon Camier on the Airwaves Yamaha was the top British Wild card finishing in sixth position. Both the Airwaves riders have the benefit of a full race weekend at Donington Park and should be ahead of the game when it comes to machine set-up.

1. M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati 1’30.775

2. L. HASLAM GBR Honda 1’31.191

3. B. SPIES USA Yamaha 1’31.294

4. G. LAVILLA ESP Ducati 1’31.401

5. S. BYRNE GBR Ducati 1’31.436

6. L. CAMIER GBR Yamaha 1’31.454

7. J. SMRZ CZE Ducati 1’31.584

8. L. LANZI ITA Ducati  1’31.705

9. C. CHECA ESP Honda 1’31.736

10. N. HAGA JPN Ducati 1’31.760

11. T. SYKES GBR Yamaha 1’31.838

12. J. ELLISON GBR Yamaha 1’31.890

13. M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia 1’31.913

14. J. HOPKINS USA Honda 1’32.007

15. J. REA GBR Honda 1’32.103

16. Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Suzuki 1’32.139

17. R. XAUS ESP BMW 1’32.186

18. S. NAKANO JPN Aprilia 1’32.188

19. B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki 1’32.401

20. T. CORSER AUS BMW 1’32.476

21. M. LAGRIVE FRA Honda 1’32.879

22. L. SCASSA ITA Kawasaki 1’33.061

23. R. KIYONARI JPN Honda 1’33.093

24. D. SALOM ESP Kawasaki 1’33.262

25. J. HACKING USA Kawasaki 1’33.587

26. S. ANDREWS GBR Kawasaki 1’34.069

27. D. CHECA ESP Yamaha 1’34.259

28. B. YOUNG USA Suzuki 1’34.529

29. V. IANNUZZO ITA Honda 1’35.126

30. R. RESCH AUT Suzuki 1’35.176

31. A. POLITA ITA Suzuki 1’43.938