eni FIM Superbike World Championship
Imola, Italy
May 11, 2014
Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Jonathan REA, UK (Honda CBR1000RR), 19 laps, 34:14.255
2. Chaz DAVIES, UK (Ducati 1199 Panigale R), -4.095 seconds
3. Sylvain GUINTOLI, France (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), -5.546
4. Loris BAZ, France (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -6.285
5. Tom SYKES, UK (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -7.147
6. Davide GIUGLIANO, Italy (Ducati 1199 Panigale R), -22.054
7. Toni ELIAS, Spain (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), -25.811
8. Leon HASLAM, UK (Honda CBR1000RR), -26.127
9. Eugene LAVERTY, Ireland (Suzuki GSX-R1000), -26.306
10. Alex LOWES, UK (Suzuki GSX-R1000), -33.046, ran off track
11. Marco MELANDRI, Italy (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), -37.788
12. Leon CAMIER, UK (BMW S1000RR), EVO, -42.415, ran off track
13. David SALOM, Spain (Kawasaki ZX-10R), EVO, -52.114
14. Luca SCASSA, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-10R), EVO, -59.001
15. Fabien FORET, France (Kawasaki ZX-10R), EVO, -64.364
16. Jeremy GUARNONI, France (Kawasaki ZX-10R), EVO, -78.512
17. Alessandro ANDREOZZI, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-10R), EVO, -94.487, ran off track
18. Geoff MAY, USA (EBR 1190 RX), -1 lap
19. Imre TOTH, Hungary (BMW S1000RR), -1 lap
20. Niccolo CANEPA, Italy (Ducati 1199 Panigale R), EVO, -4 laps, DNF, mechanical
21. Sheridan MORAIS, South Africa (Kawasaki ZX-10R), EVO, -9 laps, DNF, retired
22. Michel FABRIZIO, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-10R), EVO, -11 laps, DNF, retired
23. Peter SEBESTYEN, Hungary (BMW S1000RR), EVO, -11 laps, DNF, crash
24. Aaron YATES, USA (EBR 1190 RX), -11 laps, DNF, retired
25. Claudio CORTI, Italy (MV Agusta F4 RR), -13 laps, DNF, mechanical
26. Ivan GOI, Italy (Ducati 1199 Panigale R), EVO, DNS
Subjects to Homologation
Ayrton BADOVINI, Italy (Bimota BB3), EVO, -42.284 seconds
Christian IDDON, UK (Bimota BB3), EVO, -51.220 seconds
World Championship Point Standings (After 8 of 26 races):
1. Rea, 139 points
2. Sykes, 135
3. Guintoli, 123
4. Baz, 119
5. Davies, 87
6. Melandri, 84
7. Giugliano, 69
8. Laverty, 62
9. Haslam, 58
10. TIE, Lowes/Elias, 50
12. Salom, 34
13. Canepa, 28
14. Camier, 20
15. Scassa, 16
16. TIE, Foret/Morais, 10
18. Guarnoni, 7
19. Glenn Allerton, 6
20. TIE, Bos/Corti, 5
22. Fabrizio, 2
23. Andreozzi, 1
Other Americans competing at Imola:
Former AMA Pro Supersport East Champion Josh Day finished fifth-fastest out of 30 riders in the 1000cc Superstock European Cup Free Practice race. Day, riding his Agro-On Wil Racedays Honda CBR1000RR, crossed the finish line 31.274 seconds behind race winner Ondrej Jezek. Leandro Mercado, the 2009 AMA Pro Supersport National Champion, placed third on his Barni Racing Ducati 1199 Panigale R.
Alex Wisdom, riding a CADS Racing Honda CBR500R, took 13th out of 22 starters in the Pata European Junior Cup race. The race was won by Spaniard Augusto Fernandez on his WIL Sport Honda CBR500R
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WSBK Press Office:
Rea takes double and becomes championship leader
Imola (Italy), Sunday 11 May 2014 – Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) once again made the best start as race two, but unlike race one, Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) and Davide Giuglino (Ducati Superbike Team) who also started from the front row, made equally impressive starts to ensure that they were in contention from the beginning.
The race two pace was a lot higher than the earlier encounter as Rea lapped at almost lap record pace on his first flying lap.
Reigning champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) started slowly but was soon up to 4th after displacing Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) who in turn had moved ahead of race one podium finisher Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team).
As the race progressed and with Rea out in front by over 5 seconds, Davies and Guintoli together with Sykes and his fellow Kawasaki rider Loris Baz, were involved in an intense battle which raged until the final lap.
At the flag Rea took a double victory ahead of Davies, who clung on to his second podium of the day and Guintoli who fought hard to finish 3rd. Thanks to the 13th race win and the first double since Assen 2010, Rea elevates himself to the championship lead for the first time ever.
Loris Baz got the better of his team mate Tom Sykes to claim fourth, with Davide Giugliano putting the disappointment of his race one crash behind him with a solid 6th.
Niccolo Canepa had a technical failure in the closing laps as it looked certain that he was heading to the best classified award in the EVO category. His retirement handed that accolade once again to Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia).
Results: 1. Rea (Honda) 19 Laps/93.784 km in 34’14.255 average 164.353 kph; 2. Davies (Ducati) 4.095; 3. Guintoli (Aprilia) 5.546; 4. Baz (Kawasaki) 6.285; 5. Sykes (Kawasaki) 7.147; 6. Giugliano (Ducati) 22.054; 7. Elias (Aprilia) 25.811; 8. Haslam (Honda) 26.127; 9. Laverty (Suzuki) 26.306; 10. Lowes (Suzuki) 33.046; 11. Melandri (Aprilia) 37.788; 12. Camier (BMW) 42.415; 13. Salom (Kawasaki) 52.114; 14. Scassa (Kawasaki) 59.001; 15. Foret (Kawasaki) 1’04.364; 16. Guarnoni (Kawasaki) 1’18.512; 17. Andreozzi (Kawasaki) 1’34.487; 18. May (EBR) 1 Lap; 19. Toth (BMW) 1 Lap; RT. Canepa (Ducati); RT. Morais (Kawasaki); RT. Fabrizio (Kawasaki); RT. Sebestyen (BMW); RT. Yates (EBR); RT. Corti (MV Agusta); NS. Goi (Ducati); SH. Badovini (Bimota) 42.284; SH. Iddon (Bimota) 51.220.
Standings (Round 4 of 13): 1. Rea 139; 2. Sykes 135; 3. Guintoli 123; 4. Baz 119; 5. Davies 87; 6. Melandri 84; 7. Giugliano 69; 8. Laverty 62; 9. Haslam 58; 10. Lowes 50; 11. Elias 50; 12. Salom 34; 13. Canepa 28; 14. Camier 20; 15. Scassa 16; 16. Foret 10; 17. Morais 10; 18. Guarnoni 7; 19. Allerton 6; 20. Bos 5; 21. Corti 5; 22. Fabrizio 2; 23. Andreozzi 1. Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki 143; 2. Honda 139; 3. Aprilia 133; 4. Ducati 113; 5. Suzuki 92; 6. BMW 26; 7. MV Agusta 5.
More, from a press release issued by Pata Honda Superbike Team:
Rea delivers dream double for Pata and Honda at Imola
Pata Honda rider Jonathan Rea rounded off a perfect weekend on his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade at the fourth-round World Superbike championship event at Imola in Italy today.
The 27-year-old British rider comfortably won both of today’s races at the 4.936km Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari from pole position, setting the fastest lap in each of the two outings. He now leads the championship by four points from fellow Brit Tom Sykes.
Rea got superb starts in both 19-lap races and was never challenged, with Chaz Davies and Sykes joining him on the podium in race one. Davies and Sylvain Guintoli were second and third respectively in the second race.
Rea’s Pata Honda team-mate Leon Haslam finished tenth in race one and eighth in race two, battling hard in both outings after a promising start to the Imola event. He will join Rea and other World Superbike riders for an official one-day test at the Imola crcuit tomorrow.
Jonathan Rea – 1st and 1st
It’s been a great weekend for me! I couldn’t have imagined doubling up coming here. But I knew we’d be strong because it’s a circuit I really enjoy and one that the bike goes really well at. To cap it off, it’s also been a perfect weekend for the team with Lorenzo [Zanetti] winning his first World Supersport race so massive congratulations to him. Mikey [van der Mark] was on the podium and he’s leading the championship, too. It’s a shame we have a test tomorrow because I think everybody in the team deserves to go and really enjoy the night and savour this moment but it’s back to work tomorrow! We’ll try to make the bike better and go to Donington hopefully to keep this ball rolling. I’m really enjoying riding right now and I want to thank everyone who’s put t he work in. Not just the track staff here but the guys back at base in Nieuwleusen [Netherlands]. It’s also the home round for our sponsors, Pata, so a big thanks to them, too.
Leon Haslam – 10th and 8th
We’ve made a step but from free practice yesterday morning we’ve lost about a second a lap. From being able to do high 47s and low 48s on old, used tyres, we’ve only been able to do high 48s today, dropping into the 49s. I was quicker on an 18-lap harder tyre on Friday than I was in both races today. So, for me it’s not been a good weekend, but it’s been fantastic for the team. You always want to beat your team mate, but it’s good that the bike is capable and for me that’s a positive. Also a one-two in Supersport is mega for the team but it probably adds a little frustration from my side because it could have been good for me. We’ve got a test here tomorrow so we’ll hopefully be able to figure some things out and find out what changed from yesterday. I know Donington well and that the bike can work well there, so hopefully I can start my season there!
Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator
Leon struggled today and was far away from his team-mate. We know he can be within a second or half a second of Jonathan but it was not his day. We changed some things for race two and he fought for a better finish. We have a test tomorrow and we’ll do anything we can to get him to the front with more confidence. It’s in there, and he’s a little fighter – he’s not giving up and neither are we. Jonathan has had an amazing double win. After his pole yesterday things were looking good and, after warm-up this morning, it was looking even better. The competition had no chance today and he’s now leading the championship, so big congratulations to the whole crew. I’m so happy for Jonathan, too, because he has stuck with us through some hard times and always believed in us.
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
GUINTOLI ON THE PODIUM AT IMOLA
Imola, 11 May 2014 – The Aprilia Racing Team leaves Imola with the third place Sylvain Guintoli took home in Race 2 which, together with his fifth place in Race 1, keeps the rider close to the top of the championship standings. Sylvain, coming off two wins and demonstrating consistent performance, now lies in third place in the championship, just 16 points behind the new leader, Rea, and 12 behind Sykes.
In the first race, after holding onto second place for much of the race, Guintoli suffered a drop in tyre performance which forced him to a more defensive strategy in the second part of the race. These are important points in a Championship which, after only four rounds, promises to be extremely well balanced. Sylvain’s redemption came in Race 2 where he played a key role, staying in the leading pack from the start and finishing in third place in front of some of his fiercest rivals in the battle for the title.
Sylvain Guintoli: “It was a hard battle in both races. In Race 2 we managed to improve our pace quite a bit. I knew I would have to start off strong because we are struggling a bit at the moment in the second half of the race. I fought all the way to the end. I knew that the podium was within reach so I gritted my teeth and tried not to make any mistakes. A fifth and third place don’t exactly make me jump for joy, but in any case they mean 27 points. I know that I put forth my best effort on this track. The test tomorrow is important because we’ll be able to continue improving and looking for new solutions so that we can be incisive in any conditions”.
The weekend at Imola was decidedly disappointing for Marco Melandri who, after two days of positive sessions, was expecting to be strong in the races. Instead, his sixth place in Race 1 and eleventh place in the second match, despite two excellent starts, kept the rider from Ravenna out of the spotlight on the track at Imola.
Marco Melandri: “This was a very disappointing Sunday race day, definitely not up to our expectations which were quite high after such a good start to the weekend. Friday and Saturday were positive and it seemed like we were on the right track. This means that we still have a lot of work to do. I am quite capable of bringing home very different results, but that’s how this sport is at these levels”.
More, from a press release issued by Voltcom Crescent Suzuki:
Laverty salvages seventh on tricky day in Italy
A disappointing day for Voltcom Crescent Suzuki saw Eugene Laverty consolidate seventh place in this morning’s first race of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship at Imola in Italy, after a difficult weekend overall.
Struggling to adapt his Yoshimura-powered GSX-R to suit his style at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Laverty salvaged a seventh place finish in the day’s opening race after running a somewhat solitary yet consistent pace for the 19 lap duration. The Irishman looked to be set for a similar placing in the afternoon’s outing, before succumbing to the advancing duo of Red Devils’ Toni Elias and Honda’s Leon Haslam to eventually consolidate ninth.
Despite the setback of missing yesterday’s Superpole, Alex Lowes’ encouraging form continued in both of the day’s races. A strong start on his Suzuki GSX-R allowed the British racer to advance two places in the morning’s opening lap progressing further, due to a move on Haslam and a fall from Ducati’s Davide Giugliano, to claim eighth at the flag. The second race looked even more promising, matching his first race position before the half way stage, when a mistake while attempting a move on his teammate resulted in a trip to the gravel at turn 18, and a loss of five places. Lowes regrouped at speed and began hunting down the pack in front to take 10th with four laps remaining, his consistent pace and confidence on the bike deserving more than the time sheets reflected.
Honda’s Jonathan Rea dominated proceedings at the Imola circuit taking a double win, while the intermittent cloud left track temperatures pushing 10°C above the day’s 23°C high, the threat of rain dissipating as the second race began.
Voltcom Crescent Suzuki will now remain in Imola to participate in official championship testing tomorrow, with a full day of activity from 09:00hrs local time, before returning to its UK base in preparation for the team’s home race at Donington Park in a fortnight’s time.
Eugene Laverty:
“A tough day and disappointing for both me and the team. The first race was bad, I could ride the bike but the second race was so bad after half distance that the bike felt unrideable, and we have to work to understand why we were so far away. We have a new strategy to work on tomorrow, to help our engine braking, which should be a good step and this is probably the best track to try it. The problem was highlighted so badly here that if we are going to improve it anywhere it’s going to be here. On to Donington and I’m determined to get back to the front group.”
Alex Lowes:
The results weren’t great but today was a good race! I tried hard in the second race; I pushed right to the end. I ran off the track trying to pass Eugene, just locked the front and had to take to the gravel, which wasn’t great. I lost 13 seconds, so if it wasn’t for that I could have had a decent result but I tried my best and I’m going to keep on improving. I’m enjoying being in the Championship and I’m starting to understand the GSX-R a lot more. Now we can concentrate on the test and getting ready for the home race at Donington!”
Paul Denning – Team Manager:
“A tough weekend didn’t get a lot easier on race day here at Imola. Particularly for Eugene, we just didn’t find anything close to the right combination to allow him to ride as we know he can; two frustrating races for him and not too many positives to draw from them. For Alex the story is a little bit different. He reacted superbly and really supported the team when we had to withdraw the bike from Superpole qualifying yesterday, which obviously cost him some track time and a better grid position. In the races he found further improvements especially for race two, where the time sheets show that if he hadn’t run off the track and lost 12 seconds, he would have finished in sixth place. He has learnt a good amount over the course of the weekend and probably the most important day for us now will be tomorrow. We hope the weather will be kind and we get to run through some important changes and some important test items to get back to where we know the GSX-R can be!”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
Double podium for Chaz Davies and the Ducati Superbike Team in today’s Imola SBK races!
Imola (Italy), Sunday 11 May 2014 – The fourth round of the Superbike World Championship, that took place today at the Imola circuit in Italy, proved to be a happy hunting ground for Chaz Davies and the Ducati Superbike Team who powered the 1199 Panigale to a second place finish in both of the day’s hard-fought Superbike races.
Race 1 – in cooler temperatures than yesterday (air temperature 22°C, track 30°C), Davies got away extremely well from fourth on the grid and by the end of lap one he was already lying second, behind Rea. During the first half of the race the Ducati Superbike man battled it out with both Sykes and Guintoli and although he lost his hold on second place for a few laps, he regained control when he got back in front of Guintoli on lap fourteen. In the final stages of the race Davies managed his tyres well and was able to increase his pace, lapping quicker than the other riders and building a gap between himself and the chasing pack. Chaz therefore crossed the line in final second place, his first podium of the 2014 season.
Giugliano did not make the quickest start and was seventh through the first laps. Starting to push to chase Melandri, Davide got past the Aprilia man on lap seven and then got into a rhythm which allowed him to close the gap between himself and Baz and Sykes, immediately ahead. Unfortunately on lap twelve, just when he was positioned right behind the two Kawasakis, the Italian rider crashed, losing the front of his bike. Unfortunately what could have been a great race for Giugliano came to a premature end.
Race 2 – Giugliano got away very fast, lapping third at the end of lap one. Unfortunately, after only five or six laps, the bike started to bounce which caused him to lose feeling during braking, slowing him down and making him lose a few positions. Chaz, who didn’t get as well as fast as he did in race 1, immediately began to push and made up for lost ground over the first half of the race, passing first Melandri and then his teammate Giugliano. At the mid-race point Chaz was up into fourth, while Davide, sixth, was forced to ride a prudent second half and was unable to attack; he nevertheless closed in a solid sixth position. Chaz, able to push harder than his rivals in the final stages, reached and passed first Sykes and then Guintoli to move into second place three laps from the end. Maintaining concentration right to the line, he passed under the chequered flag in second position. Chaz’s double podium is an important result for Ducati, racing at its home track in front of large crowds of fans and ducatisti.
At the end of this fourth world championship round, Davies lies in fifth position in the standings with 87 points, Giugliano is seventh with 69 points. In the manufacturer’s standings, Ducati is fourth with 113 points.
Quotes after the races:
Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team #7) – 2nd, 2nd
“These have been the best races of the season and undoubtedly my best race weekend so far, in that we’ve been consistently strong since Friday. It’s great to be on the podium and is the best way to thank Ducati and all of the guys, both in the team and the factory, for all of their hard work. Race 1 was difficult, Jonathan got away quickly and there was no way to stay with him but we had a good battle behind him. Race 2 turned out to be pretty similar. We chose a fairly standard setting today and I was able to ride really well. I can almost ride the bike as I would like, we just have a small problem with rear vibration to iron out but tomorrow, during the tests, we will also work on this and I’m sure we’ll be able to improve. I’m very pleased with the double podium of course and it confirms how much work has been done in Ducati over the last months, so I want to dedicate today’s results to Ducati and all the fans.”
Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team #34) – DNF, 6th
“It wasn’t the day that I’d expected but I have to look at the positives, or rather the fact that we’ve collected important data which we can use to improve and avoid problems in the future. Unfortunately a crash in race one compromised a race that hadn’t got off to a great start. I was catching up to those ahead quite quickly but then crashed and there was nothing to do about it. In the second I got away well, I was faster than Sylvain but, from the fifth or sixth lap I suffered a big drop and lost a lot of ground. Anyway, tomorrow we are here testing and will work hard to be more competitive at Donington.”
Ernesto Marinelli – Ducati Superbike Project Director
“We’re really pleased with Chaz’s results today; every time we go out on track we are able to improve and today’s double podium confirms this positive trend that we’ve seen in recent months. We’re still missing that final step, and this is why we’ll continue to work to be even more competitive, but we’re heading in the right direction. It was a real shame about Davide and the problems he had today. If it hadn’t been for the crash in race 1, he would have been able to reach the podium. His day didn’t go to plan but that is racing in the end. We will turn the page and, with optimism and faith, we’ll concentrate on the tests and the next round at Donington.”
More, from a press release issued by Team HERO EBR:
Team Hero EBR continue to work on setup in Imola
A packed Imola circuit in Northern Italy played host to the fourth round of this year’s World Superbike championship with Team Hero EBR riders Geoff May and Aaron Yates in action once again.
Race 1, held at 1030 local time was a disappointment for the team, after the positives taken during the weekend as both riders failed to finish. Geoff was unable to start after a small problem during warm up couldn’t be fixed and Aaron retired mid race after another great start had seen move forward a couple of places.
Race 2 was held in similar warm conditions and both riders were able to participate. Unfortunately Aaron was unable tocomplete the race because of a technical problem but Geoff salvaged an 18th position finish after another weekend of hard work and determination from the whole team.
Aaron Yates: “I really enjoyed racing here and Imola is definitely now one of my favorite race tracks. Unfortunately we had some troubles today and I am sorry that we can’t finish the races. Anyway, we made some progress during the weekend and I am sure we will soon be more competitive.”
Geoff May: ”I am sorry I didn’t the chance to ride in Race 1 because my intent is collect much data as possible in order to develop the bike alongside my mechanics. In race 2 we completed the race and I improved the feeling with the bike. Now I want focus on the next race in Donington, where I’m sure we will continue to make some further improvements.”
Giulio Bardi – Team Manager: “Obviously I would like a better result, but from our side what really matters is constantly improving throughout the season. Every race is like a test for us and after each race we become stronger than before. I know our team is doing its best to improve the EBR 1190RX and I am sure we will soon get some good results.”
In a fortnight the newest manufacturer in World Superbike makes its British debut at Donington Park.
More, from a press release issued by Alstare Bimota:
BADOVINI WINS EVO CLASS IN RACE TWO
Team Bimota Alstare rider Ayrton Badovini finished today’s second World Superbike Championship as the top rider in the EVO class – a tremendous result in just the team’s third race weekend with the new BB3 bike. After a disappointing first race, due to electronic problems, Ayrton had a race-long battle with fellow EVO class rider Leon Camier in the second 19-lapper, before coming out on top by two tenths of a second at the flag. As the BB3 is awaiting its homologation, Ayrton’s superb performance is excluded from the official results, but nevertheless it shows that the bike is competitive and improving each time out. And, to underline this fact, Ayrton’s team mate Christian Iddon finished only two places behind, backing up his strong performance in race one, when he was second in the EVO class.
Ayrton Badovini – Race 1: DNF, Race 2: 12th overall, 1st EVO class
“Race 1 was not so good because I had some electronics problems and I pitted three times to try and get the problems sorted out. We fixed the problem in time for race two and I really enjoyed it because I was able to push hard right from the start and have good battles. Camier and I had a good fight but I was very determined to beat him – especially as this is my home race. It was very hard at the end of the race, but I definitely wasn’t going to let him get past me. To win the EVO class today was a very nice feeling, but I think that this is just the start and there’s a lot more to come. I would like to say thank you to my team and also to all my fans who gave me so much support this weekend.”
Christian Iddon – Race 1: 12th overall, 2nd EVO class, Race 2: 14th overall, 3rd EVO class
“Today was a very positive day and I am so much happier than yesterday. We made some changes to the rear shock and the bike was much better to ride. I felt that I could push hard and that’s what I did. We made a further adjustment for the second race, but possibly we went slightly in the wrong direction and I couldn’t push as hard as I did in the race one. But the important thing is that we have collected a load of valuable data and we can use that in the test tomorrow to try and improve the bike further.”
Francis Batta (Team Manager)
“I am very happy with our win in the EVO class today – it is reward for all the tremendous effort everybody has put in since this project started. Today was only our third race weekend and to get this kind of result so soon speaks about the strength of the Bimota BMW connection and all our hard work.I am very happy with Ayrton’s performance in race two – especially considering that he rode the bike without any electronics assistance! Christian is making good progress and his pace today was good enough for top three in the EVO class in both races. Although I am happy with today’s great results, my mind is on the future and with this bike I think our prospects are very good.”