Martin And Pirelli Top First World Superbike Qualifying At Misano

Martin And Pirelli Top First World Superbike Qualifying At Misano

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Martin tops first qualifying in Misano heat

By Glenn Le Santo

Steve Martin took a surprise provisional pole at Misano in the first timed qualifying session ahead for round seven of the World Superbike championship.

The Australian has found it hard to make a mark in World Superbike racing on his Pirelli-shod DFX Ducati, struggling for grip on the development tires. But today Pirelli engineers provided him with a new tire to try, and it seems to have worked well for him.

“This is all new to me,” said Martin after the session, “but obviously I’m very happy to have press guys turn up at my garage for quotes for a change! Basically we’ve just tried a new compound, and importantly, a new carcass, and it worked really well!”

Although he’s doing well in qualifying, Martin admitted that things might not be quite so good for the race; “Everyone here will struggle on race tyres, and we’ve still got some work to do on our race set up.”

Pierfrancesco Chili took provisional second ahead of Regis Laconi. Ruben Xaus is the lone factory rider on the provisional front row. Runaway title leader Neil Hodgson languishes down in sixth, a strangely familiar position for him on a Friday, despite his brilliant form this season.

World Superbike championship
Round seven, San Marino (Circuit Santa Monica, Misano, Italy)
June 20-21-22

First timed qualifying, best lap times:

1. Steve Martin, AUS, Ducati, 1:35.276
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, ITA, Ducati, 1:35.290
3. Regis Laconi, ITA, Ducati, 1:35.365
4. Ruben Xaus, ESP, Ducati, 1:35.422
5. Lucio Pedercini, ITA, Ducati, 1:35.571
6. Neil Hodgson, GBR, Ducati, 1:35.781
7. James Toseland, GBR, Ducati, 1:36.022
8. Chris Walker, GBR, Ducati, 1:36.066
9. Mauro Sanchini, ITA, Kawasaki, 1:36.094
10. Gregorio Lavilla, ESP, Suzuki, 1:36.225


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

XAUS AND HODGSON (DUCATI FILA) FOURTH AND SIXTH AT SCORCHING MISANO – EIGHT DUCATIS LEAD THE FIELD

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) set fourth quickest time today in first qualifying for the San Marino Round of the World Superbike Championship at a scorching hot Misano Adriatico circuit. The Spanish rider was two places ahead of team-mate and championship leader Neil Hodgson as eight Ducatis from six different teams filled the top eight positions on the provisional grid.

“That was not so bad, much better than Oschersleben and Silverstone for sure” commented Ruben, who was just one-tenth of a second away from provisional polesitter, the surprising Steve Martin (DFX Ducati). “It’s really hot out there and the new surface is not so ‘grippy’ so it’s sure to be a hard weekend. For me what is important is the race, not running quick tomorrow morning or even in Superpole. We did a lot of work today and I’ll be testing a lot more things tomorrow morning because I need to know the bike better and the only reference we have is from last year. The front is a lot better than this morning, but I still need to work a lot to get the right feeling”.

Hodgson was half-a-second away from the provisional pole time but was not too disappointed to be in sixth position after Friday qualifying.

“Everything feels pretty good” he declared, “and I’m consistent on race tyres which is important. Now it’s just a case of fine-tuning the 999 and getting the right gearing for this circuit because it’s a bit of a compromise really. Today has been better than usual, probably the best Friday I’ve had since Valencia, that’s how confident I am. I only ran on race tyres today, I’ve already chosen the front now I’m down to the rear selection. After the morning session I will have the final choice and then I’ll choose after the long-run in the afternoon. With this temperature the track feels greasy, but tomorrow morning I’m sure I can improve because it’ll be cooler and I’m not yet on the limit”.

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