Assen on Friday
World Superbike 2013
Bart Madson
April 26, 2013
Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes outpaced the SBK field
as riders got Round 3 action underway at Assen. The Dutch circuit greeted the World
Superbike paddock with blustery conditions, with Sykes’ best lap 1.643
seconds ahead of his nearest competitor and current SBK points leader, Aprilia
factory rider Sylvain Guintoli. The Frenchman was followed on the timesheet by his
teammate, Eugene Laverty.
The Assen conditions claimed several riders on the day, with Aragon double
winner Chaz Davies going down, as well as Althea Racing’s Davide Giugliano and
Alstare Ducati’s Ayrton Badovini. The most consequential crash occurred to Pata
Honda rider Leon
Haslam, who crashed at the end of the morning session. Fractures to his
left tibula and fibula were later confirmed at the Assen hospital. A team press
release states the British rider is being transferred a hospital in nearby
Gronigen, where an operation will pin the fractured leg.
The poor conditions also held down lap times considerably, with Sykes’ 1’57.190
well off the average 2012 race pace in the 1’38 range. Both Sykes and Guintoli
have excelled in wet weather conditions, each securing multiple wins last
season during wet races, and they led the SBK field in the morning practice
session as well.
Sykes will look for his 12th career SBK pole position on Saturday. The British
rider has been on a Superpole tear throughout the 2012 season, extending into
the current SBK campaign.
Italian Marco Melandri leads provisional Row 2 after Friday’s qualifying aboard
his factory BMW, with countrymen Giugiliano and Badovini recovering from their
crashes to place a respective fifth and sixth.
Jonathan Rea placed seventh on the provisional grid. The Pata Honda rider is a
four-time victor at Assen, including a double in 2010. Rea will lead a
solo Honda charge on Sunday, with the added motivation of performing well at
the Ten Kate team’s local round.
British rider Leon Camier returned to action aboard the Fixi Crescent Suzuki at
10th fastest, one position behind 2011 SBK champion Carlos Checa. Davies, who
sits second in the championship after his Aragon triumph, ended Friday
14th-fastest.
2013 World Superbike Assen Friday Qualifying:
1. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'57.190
2. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'58.824
3. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) 1'59.068
4. Marco Melandri (BMW) 1'59.316
5. Davide Giugliano (Aprilia) 1'59.317
6. Ayrton Badovini (Ducati) 1'59.754
7. Jonathan Rea (Honda) 2'00.197
8. Jules Cluzel (Suzuki) 2'00.553
9. Carlos Checa (Ducati)
2'01.706
10. Leon Camier (Suzkui) 2'01.728
11. Michel Fabrizio (Aprilia) 2'02.039
12. Mark Aitchison (Ducati) 2'02.685
13. Loris Baz (Kawasaki) 2'02.915
14. Chaz Davies (BMW) 2'03.384
15. Alexander Lundh (Kawasaki) 2'04.401
16. Max Neukirchner (Ducati) 2'04.582
17. Ivan Clementi (BMW) 2'04.849
18. Federico Sandi (Kawasaki) 2'07.893
19. Vittorio Iannuzzo (BMW) 2'19.197
