Carlos Checa started the 2010 World Superbike season with the fastest qualifying time on a scorching hot track at Phillip Island, Australia. His lap time of 1’32”155 was less than a second away from setting the track record which was set by Regis Laconi last year.
But Checa wasn’t the only one close to breaking the track record. Checa’s time was only .007 seconds ahead of Michel Fabrizio, and .218 seconds ahead of Leon Haslam.
Checa, and his Ducati 1098R, gave Althea Racing its first pole position.
”I'm really satisfied with today's test. I worked very well with my technicians and we tested some different tires and settings. It's always a good result for our team to reach the provisional pole position,” said Checa. “Nevertheless, we have to remember that the race will be on Sunday and that probably we'll have different weather conditions with colder temperature, but this a very good starting point.”
The first qualifying race at Phillip Island was extremely close with all riders in the top-ten within a second of one another. Six of those top 10 bikes were Ducatis.
Racers will have one more chance to qualify for the Superpole on Saturday.
1. 7 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1'32.155
2. 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1'32.162
3. 91 L. HASLAM GBR Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'32.373
4. 67 S. BYRNE GBR Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1'32.635
5. 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1'32.703
6. 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'32.850
7. 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.884
8. 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'32.902
9. 96 J. SMRZ CZE Team PATA B&G Racing Ducati 1098R 1'32.905
10. 35 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1'33.038
11. 2 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'33.296
12. 77 C. VERMEULEN AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.389
13. 52 J. TOSELAND GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1 1'33.422
14. 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1'33.454
15. 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.492
16. 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1'33.512
17. 88 A. PITT AUS Team Reitwagen BMW BMW S1000 RR 1'33.940
18. 76 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.960
19. 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1'33.984
20. 123 R. RESCH AUT Team Reitwagen BMW BMW S1000 RR 1'34.065
21. 31 V. IANNUZZO ITA S.C.I. Honda Garvie Image Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.417
22. 25 J. BROOKES AUS ECHO CRS Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.663
23. 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.892
24. 95 R. HAYDEN USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.11
