Crutchlow sets the pace with final flying lap

Sterilgarda Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow set the fastest time in Free Practice at Monza on his final lap of the opening hour long session, which was hit by sporadic light rain.

In what is his team’s home race both Crutchlow and team-mate James Toseland ran at the front through out the session ending up first and fifth respectively.

Xerox Ducati rider Michel Fabrizio was the surprise second fastest rider in the opening session.

The 1200cc v-twin Ducati’s were expected to struggle at Monza due to the relative lack of top speed compared to their rivals, but after an impressive test at Misano two weeks ago, Fabrizio and his team have clearly got the 1198 working well once again.

Double Assen race winner Jonathan Rea, set the pace early on, but dropped to third at the finish. The 23 year old arrived full of confidence and told MCN mid session that his bike feels ‘mega’ around the high speed track.

Leon Haslam spent the majority of the session languishing in the mid pack but jumped up the leader board in the final minutes to fourth.

Max Biaggi claimed sixth onboard his factory Aprilia RSV4 and in doing so set the fastest ever top speed in WSB. Set on his 21st lap Biaggi scorched through the speed trap at the end of the start straight at 203.12 mph.

Biaggi’s Aprilia team-mate Leon Camier took an impressive eight place, first time at the circuit with fellow Brit Tom Sykes in 11th and Shane Byrne 17th.

1 35 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’43.758
2 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’43.844
3 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’44.004
4 91 L. HASLAM GBR Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’44.043
5 52 J. TOSELAND GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’44.190
6 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’44.259
7 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’44.416
8 2 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’44.489
9 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’44.547
10 76 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’44.597
11 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’44.769
12 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’44.951
13 96 J. SMRZ CZE Team PATA B&G Racing Ducati 1098R 1’45.095
14 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’45.206
15 7 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1’45.399
16 99 L. SCASSA ITA Supersonic Racing Team Ducati 1098R 1’45.579
17 67 S. BYRNE GBR Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1’46.014
18 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’46.091
19 23 B. PARKES AUS ECHO CRS Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’46.264
20 77 C. VERMEULEN AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’46.418
21 71 D. SAKAI JPN Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’46.739
22 95 R. HAYDEN USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’46.812
23 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’46.924 3.
24 31 V. IANNUZZO ITA S.C.I. Honda Garvie Image Honda CBR1000RR 1’47.122