WSB Miller Superpole – Smrz backs up qualifying pace with impressive Superpole win

Liberty Racing Effenbert Ducati rider Jakub Smrz secured a brilliant Superpole win with an impressive lap in the final seconds of the session. The Czech rider has been on stunning form all weekend having topped the two qualifying sessions in both wet and dry conditions.

Last year Smrz secured second position in the opening race at Miller and will be looking to capitalise on his pole position this year and fight for the race win tomorrow.

He said: “I’m happy, We’ve been doing a great job throughout all the sessions this weekend and my bike has been perfectly prepared. I had a small crash in Free Practice but was able to be ready in time and be fast in Superpole. I think we are ready for the races, I have good pace so I hope to be at the front again tomorrow.

Carlos Checa was unable to secure pole position at a track where he has dominated in the past. The Spanish rider claimed an emphatic double win in 2011 and will start as the pre-race favourite.

Checa said: “I’m quite satisfied with second position and I think we did a good job. With a few minutes to go I expected to get pole position but Jakub was very fast so congratulations to him. It’s important we are on the front row and I feel comfortable at this track for the two races tomorrow.”

Tom Sykes was unable to match his run of pole positions which has seen him secure four Superpole win from the opening five races. The British rider will start from the front row of the grid after securing third position.

“We’ve been struggling this weekend at Miller so I’m surprised to be on the front row. We made a last minute change for Superpole to try and make something happen and fair play to my crew because it worked. It’s nice to keep up my strong qualifying but the real bonus is the fact that I’m starting from the front row here which is crucial.”

David Giugliano made the most of being Carlos Checa team-mate and benefitted from a brilliant tow in the final session to claim the third fastest time.

Fifth place went to Honda Superbike rider Jonathan Rea who is enjoying a far more successful weekend at the American track. Sylvan Guintoli made it four Ducati’s in the top six finishing ahead of Italian Max Biaggi.

After being fast all weekend, Eugene Laverty was unable to show what he was capable of in Superpole 3 after suffering a technical problem on his factory Aprilia on his out-lap session. He starts from 8th pace and on the second row of the grid – his best qualifying position of 2012.

After their dominance at Donington Park two weeks ago it was a tough day for BMW men Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam. Melandri made it through Superpole one but lost out in Superpole 2 ending the session in ninth place and the third row of the grid.

Haslam lost valuable time during the opening minutes of Superpole 1 after sustaining a rear puncture. With limited time available he managed to complete just 2 flying laps and finished the session in 13th after being dropped down the order in the final seconds of the session. Haslam will start the two races in 13th and on the fourth row of the grid.

Chaz Davies showed good pace in Superpole, but having comfortably made it through the opening session he was unable to progress any further in Superpole 2 and ended the session in 11th place.

Leon Camier was left bitterly disappointed after dropping to 20th in second qualifying. The Fixi Crescent Suzuki rider is expected to perform much better in the races having shown top six pace earlier in the weekend. 
Miller – FIM Superbike World Championship – Superpole 3

1. Jakub Smrz (Liberty Racing Team Effenbert) Ducati 1098R 1’47.626
2. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’47.810
3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’48.062
4. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’48.220
5. Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 1’48.563
6. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’48.568
7. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’48.794
8. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’48.354
9. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1’48.422
10. Michel Fabrizio (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 1’48.566
11. Chaz Davies (ParkinGO MTC Racing) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’48.669
12. Lorenzo Zanetti (PATA Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1’49.929
13. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1’49.552
14. Maxime Berger (Team Effenbert Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1’49.750
15. Niccolò Canepa (Red Devils Roma) Ducati 1098R 1’49.818
16. John Hopkins (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’49.966
17. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’50.424
18. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 1’50.427
19. David Salom (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’50.504
20. Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’50.520
21. Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.963
22. Leandro Mercado (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’51.843
23. Jake Holden (Grillini Progea Superbike Team) BMW S1000 RR 1’52.108
24. Shane Turpin (Boulder Motor Sports) Ducati 1098R 1’54.399