WSB America Biaggi beats Spies to provisional pole

Max Biaggi stunned the WSB paddock by securing provisional pole position onboard his Aprilia RSV4 during the opening qualifying session at the Miller Motorsports Park circuit. Biaggi’s impressive 1m 49.820s lap set in the dying seconds of the sessions ousted American sensation Ben Spies from the number one spot.

Speaking to MCN, Biaggi said:
“This track is still bumpy but compared to Kyalami where the surface was really bad it is much better for us. We started the free practice session in a good way and then made some adjustment to the gearbox and the suspension.
“We will have to see how it goes from here because the times are very close. It’s going to be tough and the rhythm over the whole race is going to be the important thing.”

After making a slow start to the qualifying session, Spies secured second place and is already showing the pace and consistency expected from the 25 year old Texan.

Last years double race winner Carlos Checa once again illustrated his affinity with the flowing American circuit by leading the majority of the session before dropping to third.

Jacob Smrz was the first Ducati home in fourth with the in form Xerox Ducati rider Michel Fabrizio fifth.

Factory Kawasaki stand in rider Jamie Hacking exceeded his and the teams expectations by claiming sixth spot despite it being his first ever encounter with Pirelli tyres and Showa suspension.

Shane Byrne made a welcome return to form to finish the day in seventh despite it being his first ride at the American circuit. Byrne remains confident that there is more to come and could have been even further up the grid had he not started to run out of fuel as he crossed the line on his final flying lap.

Eighth place went to Yukio Kagayama who heroically got back on track after suffering a painful high side at the beginning of the session.

Jonathan Rea secured tenth with Tom Sykes 19th, Leon Haslam 20th and Tommy Hill 24th.

1 3 M.BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’49.820
2 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’49.901
3 7 C. CHECA ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.144
4 96 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1’50.282
5 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’50.457
6 2 J. HACKING USA Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’50.466
7 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R 1’50.512
8 71 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’50.556
9 9 R. KIYONARI JPN Ten Kate Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.701
10 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.740
11 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’50.755
12 31 K. MUGGERIDGE AUS Celani Race Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’50.757
13 23 B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’50.961
14 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’51.002
15 36 G. LAVILLA ESP Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1’51.046
16 98 J. ZEMKE USA Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.072
17 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’51.216
18 56 S. NAKANO JPN Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’51.228
19 66 T. SYKES GBR Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’51.387
20 91 L. HASLAM GBR Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.389
21 99 L. SCASSA ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’51.430
22 25 D. SALOM ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’51.577
23 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’51.596 1
24 33 T. HILL GBR Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.821
25 10 F. NIETO ESP Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’52.037
26 64 E. NIGON FRA Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone Yamaha YZF R1 1’52.932