Carlos Checa has already clinched the 2011 World Superbike championship, but the Althea Ducati rider could still take home a few more wins before all is said and done. Checa was the fastest rider during qualifying today at Portimao.
Checa finished the day with a 1'43.579 laptime to beat out Eugene Laverty by just .08 seconds. Sylvain Guintoli finished in third, two tenths off of Checa's pace.
The provisional front row was completed by Jonathan Rea, who beat out Max Biaggi as the Aprilia rider made his return to the race track for the first time since his injury.
Joan Lascorz and Tom Sykes finished in 6th and 7th before Marco Melandri crossed the line in 8th.
