AIRWAVES DUCATI FLYING IN FRIDAY PRACTICE AT BRANDS
A wet track and grey skies greeted the Airwaves Ducati riders
for the first of three free practice sessions prior to the
Bennetts British Superbike Championship race on Sunday.
Ryuichi Kiyonari quickly set the standard in wet conditions
with a sub 52 second lap, which remained the fastest time
for much of practice. Half an hour into the session the track
was drying and the times improved, Leon moved into 3rd after
20 laps having fitted a rear intermediate tyre. At the close
of the session Leon finished 4th with a time of 49.088. Gregorio
Lavilla ended the session in 6th with a 50.109 lap.
At the start of the second session the weather had held and
the track provided a dry line. Leon Haslam set out fast, keen
to use the improved conditions. He set a pace that would determine
the nature of the session, 49.404 on his first lap followed
by a 48.294 second lap. In fact all riders were keen to take
advantage of the drying track which led to a fast and furious
hour.
Lavilla moved into first position after 4 laps by clocking
the first sub 48 second time of the day, 47.911 and Haslam
followed suit with a 47.942 which resulted in the two Ducati’s
holding the top two spots. The top five riders were now clocking
times under 47 seconds in the semi dry conditions but the
skies were darkening.
With two minutes remaining the rain started to fall and the
majority of riders ended their session. Haslam finished in
first place clocking 46.318 and Lavilla in third with a best
time of 46.341; having ridden 45 and 48 laps respectively,
more than all but one of their competitors.
After the second practice session the defending Champion
Gregorio Lavilla commented, “It was a good session,
the conditions were not ideal and we have a few improvements
to make in the morning but I feel ready now.”
His Airwaves Ducati team mate, Leon Haslam added “I
was pleased with today as this morning we got a full wet session,
which we didn’t have the opportunity to do in testing,
and then a semi dry session this afternoon. We are sorting
the final settings now and getting the bike ready for the
race and I am really happy with the way it feels and the way
things are going.”
The Airwaves Ducati riders return to the track Saturday morning
for another free practice session followed by qualifying in
the afternoon.
Free Practice 1 Results
1 Karl Harris Honda - HM Plant Honda 48.421
2 Michael Rutter Honda - Stobart Motorsport 48.906
3 Shane Byrne Suzuki - Rizla Suzuki 49.084
4 Leon Haslam Ducati - Airwaves Ducati 49.088
5 Jonathan Rea Honda - Red Bull Honda 49.829
6 Gregorio Lavilla Ducati - Airwaves Ducati 50.109
Free Practice 2 Results
1 Leon Haslam Ducati - Airwaves Ducati 46.318
2 Karl Harris Honda - HM Plant Honda 46.337
3 Gregorio Lavilla Ducati - Airwaves Ducati 46.341
4 Michael Rutter Honda - Stobart Motorsport 46.357
5 Jonathan Rea Honda - Red Bull Honda 46.377
6 Glen Richards Honda – Hydrex Honda 46.601
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