Sykes on Sepang pole

A strong session in Superpole for riders on several types of machinery finally delivered the best starting spot for Sunday’s two 16-lap races to second best Superpole rider ever, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team).

The lead in Superpole two was held by Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) for some time until he was deposed by the surprise figure of Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda WSB). It was not to last as first Torres again and then immediately after Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) took pole position, his 28^th, with Torres second.

Guintoli was rewarded with a brilliant front row start in third place for Honda, while late Superpole lapper Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) went from a predicted seventh in the first sector to fourth with his very last attempt.

Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) was a confident fifth and the first Ducati rider proved to be Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati WSB) in sixth place and struggling with chassis and grip issues.

Virtual World Champion elect Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) was only seventh after a small hiccup changing gear during his best lap, with fellow Briton Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) beside him on the third row and privateer Ducati rider Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) completing the trio.

Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing Ducati) and Randy De Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) were the only other two riders in Superpole 2, as Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) was being checked up after suffering a head knock earlier in the day.

Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda WSB) could not make it out of Superpole 1 and had to settle for 13^th place. Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was 14^th in Superpole. Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing Team Ducati) had a big crash in Superpole 1 but walked away.