WSB: Davies takes control with pole in Aragon

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) broke the Superpole streak of Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) with a new track best of 1’49.319, using the all-new multi-lap Pirelli rear qualifying tyre for the first time.

Said Davies, “The new qualifier was pretty good. I think we lost a little bit of grip compared to the old Q – but it was still plenty. I got on with it and pulled back a little bit on the last split. At least we are starting from the right place after a few dramas yesterday. Not having put a massive distance on the tyres we will take the race as it comes.”

Rea also broke the previous track best, and was in provisional pole, until Davies took his fourth career Superpole win.

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) earned a front row start in third place, 0.173 behind Davies, with the top three well ahead of the rest.

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Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) placed fourth, and Ducati privateer Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Ducati) was fifth. A top day for Spanish riders saw Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) sixth.

Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) secured seventh place, but his team-mate Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) suffered a technical issue in Superpole 2, after a heavy crash on the FP3 session. He qualified 12^th, without setting a time.

The oil flags came out on the back straight at one stage and there was also a technical issue for Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) with a small fire visible in his bike’s belly-pan. He finished Superpole 11^th.

Leandro Mercado (IodaRacing Team Aprilia) was eighth, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) ninth and Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) tenth.