Sykes fastest after first day in Spain

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) ended his first day at Motorland Aragon fastest of all, with a lap time that was fully 0.375 seconds quicker than next best qualifier Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) – the rider who had led for most of the session. A 1’50.712 Sykes was just over a second from Leon Haslam’s track best, in a session that ended slightly prematurely, because of a red flag.

Third was Michael van der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team), the first Honda man in a pack full of variety. Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) overcame some technical issues that held his progress back in the morning session to go fourth fastest overall.

New WorldSBK rider Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing Team Aprilia) was a strong fifth for a new WSBK team, while reigning champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) completed the top six.

Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) was seventh, 0.833 seconds from Sykes, and just ahead of the improving MV Agusta of Leon Camier.

The last two riders into Superpole 2 on Saturday by right were ninth placed Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team Ducati) and tenth placed rider Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) whose late session fall brought out the red flags as his bike re-entered the track surface at the downhill chicane.