The Yamaha World Supersport Team got their weekend off to a good start today with both riders taking provisional qualifying positions on the front row for Sunday's race. Anthony West took provisional pole while Broc Parkes lies in third going into tomorrow's final qualifying session. Neither rider had ridden the new Misano circuit prior to today's sessions but that didn't stop Anthony pushing ahead to take the fastest time of the morning's practice session. As the only rider to dip into the 1'40 lap times, he showed his ability to quickly learn new circuits. Parkes struggled with finding a set-up direction in the morning and finished 17th fastest.
It was in the afternoon session that things really heated up with the track temperature hitting 45 degrees. West was pushing for the top slot when he crashed under braking and lost the front end. He was not put off and continued on his second bike and went on to take provisional pole position.
Set up changes from the morning to the afternoon session saw Parkes leap into second in the last ten minutes of the session. Then, in the dying seconds he was knocked to third by Craig Jones.
Yamaha Team Italia rider Massimo Roccoli struggled today despite this being his home circuit. The local rider only lives about twenty minutes from the circuit but this gave him no advantage as he hadn't tested here since the track alterations, along with the majority of the riders. He managed a best position of 14th over the course of the day.
Anthony West (1st - 1'40396 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)"This afternoon I tried a different tyre to this morning's one but it didn't work as well for me as I'd hoped. I was going to come in a lap earlier but decided to stay out for one more go and that's when I went down; I just lost the front under braking. But it all worked out well in the end and it feels good to be on the front row at this stage in the weekend. At this point I've normally been much lower down because I've been learning the circuit but it's a much more even playing field here as everyone is in the same position. I'll be happy if I start on the first or second row as it'll make a big difference for me to not have to battle through the pack at the start of the race.
I like the circuit layout but it would've been better if the whole circuit had been re-surfaced rather than just certain bits of it. Also, it is still very bumpy with ripples right where you don't want them!"
Broc Parkes (3rd - 1'40.461 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)"I was a bit worried this morning as I was losing time in the third sector of the circuit but we managed to improve our game this afternoon and have found a good set-up direction. The other good thing is that we have saved quite a few tyres from our weekend allocation so far so we will be able to put them to good use tomorrow.
I'm happy with the front row although I can't believe that Jonesy beat me to second place right at the end! I'm confident though that we can step up our game again tomorrow."
Massimo Roccoli (14th - 1'41.231 - Yamaha Team Italia)"This is my home track; I live so close. But it has been no advantage for me today as I have never tested here. It is very difficult to learn the track in the time allocated to the practice sessions. But I am not too concerned with my position today because I know I have lots of opportunity still this weekend to improve my lap times. I have the right pressure to achieve the right results this weekend."
Circuit Length: 4060
Temp: 32
Weather: Sunny
Qualifying 1 - WSS Misano:
1. Anthony West - Yamaha - AUS 1'40.396
2. Craig Jones - Honda - GBR 1'40.397
3. Broc Parkes - Yamaha - AUS 1'40.461
4. Sebastien Charpentier - Honda - FRA 1'40.548
5. Pere Riba - Kawasaki - ESP 1'40.673
6. Katsuaki Fujiwara - Honda - JPN 1'40.905
7. Lorenzo Alfonsi - Honda - ITA 1'40.930
8. Yoann Tiberio - Honda - FRA 1'40.944
9. Javier Fores - Honda - ESP 1'40.970
10. Kenan Sofuoglu - Honda - TUR 1'40.975
11. David Checa - Yamaha - ESP 1'41.007
12. Fabien Foret - Kawasaki - FRA 1'41.140
13. Joan Lascorz - Honda - ESP 1'41.147
14. Massimo Roccoli - Yamaha - ITA 1'41.231
15. Robbin Harms - Honda - DNK 1'41.263
27. Sebastien Gimbert - Yamaha - FRA 1'42.536
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