Sykes wins Race 1 at Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round, with Lowes and Rea also on the podium as Davies and Melandri crash on last lap
A breathtaking Race 1 at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” on Saturday afternoon saw Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) take advantage of three big crashes ahead of him to secure maximum points, with Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) also on the podium.
In the final stages of the last lap Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) crashed out of the lead and was hit by Rea, with Rea able to pick up his bike to finish third, behind winner Sykes and second placed Lowes. Moments before that incident Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) also crashed out when fighting for a podium finish and he would ultimately finish 15th.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) also spectacularly crashed out at turn 13 with 7 laps to go, with Rea close by, after the Dutchman had led for most of the race. Van der Mark took over at the front from provisional leader Rea in the early stages and had built up a big lead at one stage before his advantage decreased and then he went down.
Behind Sykes, Lowes and Rea the top five also featured Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) and Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team).
Meanwhile in the first race of the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia), Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Roman Ramos (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven), Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Raffaele de Rosa (Althea BMW Racing Team) were all in the top ten.
There were retirements for Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) and Riccardo Russo (Guandalini Racing). Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) crashed late on but remounted to finish 11th.
1st - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
"It was a different win but it was 25 points all the same. For this way we have to be happy, I arrived on my limit, we knew the tyre never had the push but this is racing. The guys at the front were incredibly fast but we arrived at our limit, understood it and rode around it."
2nd - Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
"It was really lucky to get the podium, but the main things are that the guys are alright as the conditions were really tricky out there. I was really happy with my pace and I was doing as good laps as I have done all weekend on lap 20, so you have to be there at the end I'm enjoying the moment."
3rd - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team)
"It was a crazy race, I was settling my pace as Van der Mark crashed. I ran off track which allowed everyone to catch me again and I did everything I could to plan a last lap attack, into the last corner. But once Davies crashed, unfortunately I hit him I'm so sorry for this but I had nowhere to go. Right now I am thinking about him and I hope he's ok."
#RiminiWorldSBK at Misano World Circuit: Race 1
1. Tom Sykes Kawasaki
2. Alex Lowes Yamaha +4.551
3. Jonathan Rea Kawsasaki +8.126
Championship Standings after Race 1, Round 7
1. Jonathan Rea (GBR) Kawasaki (276 points)
2. Tom Sykes (GBR) Kawasaki (230 points)
3. Chaz Davies (GBR) Ducati (185 points)
WorldSSP: Sofuoglu continues unstoppable form
World Champion to head the WorldSSP grid at Misano ahead of Cluzel and Caricasulo on front row
At the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round on Saturday afternoon the WorldSSP World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) grabbed his third pole of 2017 and the 33rd of his career in the class, with the Turkish rider joined on the front row by Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) and Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team).
Having won the last three races in succession Sofuoglu has responded in style to his injury earlier in the year and he will be aiming to continue his winning streak in Sunday’s race at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”.
Sofuoglu’s 1’38.672 lap on the Kawasaki ZX-6R put him ahead of his rivals, with Cluzel qualifying seond by a +0.098s margin. Caricasulo was +0.291s down on Sofuoglu’s time for third place.
Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team), Christian Gamarino (BARDAHL EVAN BROS. Honda Racing) and Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing) were fourth to sixth respectively, to fill the second row.
On row three are Sheridan Morais (Kallio Racing), PJ Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Kyle Smith (GEMAR Team Lorini). Behind Briton Smith on the timesheet was his compatriot Gino Rea (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) who heads row four.
That fourth row will also feature Axel Bassani (3570 Puccetti Racing FMI) and Anthony West (EAB West Racing). Smith and Morais had made it through from an SP1 session which was briefly red flagged after a crash for Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing) who ended up 28th on the final grid.
The WorldSSP riders will race at the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round at 11.30am local time on Sunday.
Pole position - Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing)
"Until today it was quite difficult, we had some technical problems yesterday but the important thing is that we are very strong and even in Superpole i secured my best laps. I didn't do my best lap, but I did a fast lap and tomorrow the goal is to win the race."
WorldSSP Tissot-Superpole 2:
1. Kenan Sofuoglu (TUR) Kawasaki 1.38.672
2. Jules Cluzel (FRA) Honda 1.38.770 (+0.098)
3. Federico Caricasulo (ITA) Yamaha 1.38.963 (+0.291)
WorldSSP300: Perez takes sensational pole position at Misano
Spanish rider dominates field ahead in Superpole scrap
Continuing on his strong run of form, Spain’s Mika Perez (WILSport Racedays) has secured his second pole position for the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round after he put in a stunning lap of 1.52.490 and was unable to be caught.
Following searing heat conditions on Friday, clouds descended on the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli meaning track conditions were slightly cooler, giving the young riders a welcomed break. Superpole One was the ever-competitive session, but it was ultimately Alex Murley (Team Toth) who ended the session on top, 0.294 head of Chris Taylor (MTM HS Kawasaki) – making Superpole One an all British lock out.
Fighting for pole position around a circuit which is notoriously difficult to overtake around, the 12 riders headed out for the Superpole 2 shoot out.
Marc Garcia (Halcourier Racing) secured the early pace in the session, as the One Event rider continues to impress following his victory last time out at Donington Park. However he had a fight on his hands with countryman Mika Perez (WILSport Racedays), as he went a sensational 1.229s ahead of the field with four minutes left on the clock.
Despite their best efforts, Perez’s stunning lap time couldn’t be beaten and he secured pole position ahead of Garcia who took the gap down to 1.016s. Dutch rider Robert Schotman (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP300 Team) rounded out the front row at Misano.
Giuseppe De Gruttola (SK Racing) gave the home fans something to shout about as he crossed the line as the top Italian and will start the race from fourth position on the grid, ahead of compatriot Alfonso Coppola (SK Racing) as wild card Luca Bernardi (MotorZenit) made it an all Italian second row.
Chris Taylor heads the third row following a strong Superpole One performance, ahead of Daniel Valle (Halcourier Racing) and Armando Pontone (IODARacing). Championship leader Scott Deroue (MTM HS Kawasaki) will be fighting through the field from 14th on the grid, as he continues to fight to hold onto his lead.
Pole position - Mika Perez (WILSport Racedays)
"I am so happy to have another pole position in Italy and with this lap time, the Honda has a strong pace through sector one, so I pushed through there and was able to set a good lap, as well as using the slipstream to help. Tomorrow I hope I can fight in a smaller group, I don't want to be in with ten riders, but I am looking forward to the fight."
WorldSSP300 Tissot-Superpole 2:
1. Mika Perez (ESP) Honda 1.52.490
2. Marc Garcia (ESP) Yamaha 1.53.506 (+1.016)
3. Robert Schotman (NED) Yamaha 1.54.139 (+1.649)
DORNA