Davies sets new track best for Superpole win

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) secured a remarkable new track record of 1’45.598 to take only his second career pole position as he dominated the pre-race results again. His only previous Superpole win was at Laguna Seca, last year for Ducati.

Chaz went 0.457 seconds faster than his team-mate Davide Giugliano at Imola, as the Italian rider scored second grid spot in a good start to the first race day for the local manufacturer.

Third place was taken by Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) from Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) with both the Kawasaki riders over 0.7 seconds behind Chaz.

Local rider on another local bike, Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing Team Aprilia), was an impressive fifth, ahead of the first BMW of Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) in sixth place.

The rise and rise of the MV Agusta race effort continued with seventh for Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).

Next up was Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) who piled in with an eighth place.

A great improvement was forthcoming from Superpole 1 successor Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) in ninth place, but still 1.8 seconds behind Davies and his new record.

The top ten was completed by Matteo Baiocco (VFT Racing Ducati).

Michael van der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team) was 11^th and Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) 12^th.

Guintoli suffered a huge highside crash exiting the right of Acque Minerali, bringing the flags out with nine minutes and 30 seconds left to run in the session, which was restarted afterwards. Guintoli was declared unfit by the medical director and is on his way to hospital for more checks after suffering a head knock.