Crutchlow Takes Provisional Pole at Monza

A morning rain in Monza set the gradual pace of the first qualifying session for the World Superbike around the track at “the temple of speed.” The riders started cautious, gradually building confidence and speed throughout the day. Reuben Xaus and Jonathan Rea were the fastest around the wet track, but when a dry line emerged, it was Cal Crtuchlow and Yamaha who rode to take the provisional pole.

Crutchlow was the fastest in the first free practice session as well, and was able to hold off Jonathan Rea (Honda) by two tenths of a second.

Michel Fabrizio has shown signs of life on his Ducati during the opening days at Monza. With a solid free practice and a third place spot after the first qualifying session, Fabrizio could be finding his groove around the Monza track.  Fabrizio’s teammate Noriyuki Haga, however, will be less then pleased with his 15th place finish.

Troy Corser rode his BMW into fourth place while season leader Leon Haslam took his Suzuki to fifth.

Max Biaggi, who set a blistering speed of 327 km/h during FP1, finished 7th behind Reuben Xaus. Jakub Smrz, James Toseland, and Luca Scassa make up the rest of the top ten.

The questionable weather hanging over Monza could make an interesting weekend for the World Superbike riders.

World Superbike - Monza - 1st Qualifying Session

1. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 1min 44.577s
2. Jonathan Rea GBR Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 44.789s
3. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1198 1min 45.134s
4. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 45.234s
5. Leon Haslam GBR Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1min 45.303s
6. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 45.542s
7. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 1min 45.592s
8. Jakub Smrz CZE PATA B&G Racing Ducati 1198 1min 45.603s
9. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 1min 46.019s
10. Luca Scassa ITA Supersonic Ducati 1198 1min 45.111s
11. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R 1min 44.170s
12. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 1min 44.216s
13. Max Neukirchner GER Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 44.402s
14. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA DFX Ducati 1198 1min 45.413s
15. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1198 1min 44.451s
16. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1min 46.588s
17. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1198 1min 45.756s
18. Shane Byrne GBR Althea Ducati 1198 1min 47.466s
19. Daisaku Sakai JPN Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 1min 47.922s
20. Matteo Baiocco ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 48.041s
21. Chris Vermeulen AUS Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R 1min 46.191s
22. Broc Parkes AUS Echo-CRS Honda CBR1000RR 1min 48.254s
23. Roger Lee Hayden USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 49.217s
24. Vittorio Iannuzzo ITA SCI Garvie CBR1000RR 1min 49.958s