WSBK – Superpole Donington: ” Major Tom ” Sykes takes pole –

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Superpole Donington: ” Major Tom ” Sykes takes pole

WSBK - Superpole Donington: '' Major Tom '' Sykes takes pole -

Tom Sykes made the powder talk this afternoon in Donington Park! The English Ninja largely dominated his opponents – and compatriots – in the British Superpole event and will start tomorrow ahead of his team-mate Rea and Giugliano. The English drivers (Northern Irish and Welsh!) Were eagerly awaited this weekend on the Donington Park circuit…

Tom Sykes made the powder talk this afternoon in Donington Park! The English Ninja largely dominated his opponents – and compatriots – in the British Superpole event and will start tomorrow ahead of his team-mate Rea and Giugliano.

The English pilots (Northern Irish and Welsh!) Were expected to foot boot firm and the public has so far not been disappointed: Camier (!), Sykes and Haslam took turns yesterday and this morning at the top of the free practice timesheets.

The Superpole event was just as satisfying for the spectators who came in droves to support their compatriots: the six "gentleman riders" appear in the Top 7 of the final phase of "their" Superpole (SP2) and are reunited in the same second.

Author of his 26th Superpole in World Superbike and a new record at Donington, Tom Sykes marked the spirits this afternoon, starting with that of his teammate Jonathan Rea. The "famous" Ninja n ° 66 turned a quarter of a second faster than his teammate at n ° 65.

Winner of the last four WSBK races contested in Donington Park, "Major Tom" therefore presents himself as the favorite with two victories tomorrow. Be careful, however, Rea is often more efficient in the race than in qualifying! And in 2012, thanks to the blunder of Melandri – who had mown his teammate Haslam at BMW -, "JR" had won the second round…

Starting from pole position two weeks ago at his home in Imola, Davide Giugliano is the only foreign driver to have made his way to the forefront. The official Ducati rider completes the first row. We hope, for him as for the show, that the n ° 34 will know how to control his fierceness in the race and will avoid too much braking on the angle in the last hairpins on a slope….

The first to unpin the qualifying tire this afternoon, Leon Haslam was leading the Superpole three minutes from the checkered flag thanks to an absolutely dazzling end of the course. Falling heavily in Imola, Aprilia rider n ° 91 does not seem to suffer too much on one lap … But what about 23 laps (x 2!) Tomorrow ?

Extremely fast on hard tires at the very start of SP2 – he was then three tenths off Sykes’ previous record! – Alex Lowes was excessively disappointed not to be able to complete the second lap with his soft tires, the fault of a technical glitch which had occurred on his Suzuki. If his GSX-R is willing, the n ° 22 could be the pleasant surprise of this Sunday.

Qualified in sixth position, Chaz Davies will also be eager to prove himself: credited with 20 podiums in World Superbike, the n ° 7 has never slashed the Champagne Italian sparkling white wine in Donington! With these two withdrawals at Imola, the Welshman is doubly hungry for a good result.

The last driver to have turned in the same second as Tom Sykes, Leon Camier confirms the gradual rise of his factory MV Agusta as well as his talent which has remained intact despite a disjointed 2014 season. If a podium still seems out of reach of this tall pilot (1.88 m!), A Top 5 is possible…

Victim of a technical glitch at the very end of SP2, Matteo Baiocco (Ducati Althea) must be content with 8th place on the grid but can congratulate himself on beating world champion Sylvain Guintoli himself! Our n ° 1 completes the third row with his Honda Pata.

Fourth row is made up of David Salom (Kawasaki Pedercini), Ayrton Badovinni (BMW Italia) and Michael Van den Mark (Honda Pata). Beaten by Guintoli and Salom in SP1, Jordi Torres had to settle for first place on the 5th row. The "Spanish Elvis" will have to flex his elbows and hips in the first lap of the two races tomorrow to hook up the right wagon.

Injured in Assen a little over a month ago (broken wrist), Nico Terol is back on his Panigale prepared by the Althea team this weekend. The Spanish n ° 18 clinched the fourth fastest time in SP1, therefore 14th place on the starting grid. He precedes Leandro Mercado (Ducati Barni).

On the sixth row will line up our two other representatives in World Superbike: Christophe Ponsson (Kawasaki Pedercini) and Randy de Puniet (Suzuki Voltcom Crescent) will start just behind the third Spanish Roman Ramos (Kawasaki Go Eleven).

The two Kawasaki Grillini team ZX-10Rs driven by Niccolo Canepa and Santiago Barragan as well as the two Toth S1000RRs ridden by Imre Toth and Gabor Rizmayer will start from the back of the grid. Please note: the start of the first Superbike race will not be given until 1 p.m. French time (2:30 p.m. for the Supersport and 4 p.m. for the second SBK round). Stay connected !

Superpole World Superbike Donington Park 2015

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