He may be a world superbike rookie and on his first visit to Phillip Island, but that hasn’t stopped Briton Alex Lowes setting the fastest time in practice ahead of the opening round of the 2014 Superbike World Championship this Sunday.
Lowes put his Suzuki at the top of the timesheets in today’s second 45-minute practice session – first practice was practically a non-affair due to inclement weather – and then stayed there despite the usually flurry of fast laps at the end of proceedings.
It was a sensational ‘official’ world superbike debut for Lowes, but no huge surprise after he crafted together a pre-season that was full of speed and vigour.
Lowes’ best lap was 1min31.100sec, only a fraction in front of Aprilia’s Marco Melandri (1:31.137), and then followed by Ducati’s Davide Guigliano (1:31.205) and Kawasaki’s world champion Tom Sykes (1:31.395) – four manufacturers sharing the spoils.
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Australian pair Glenn Allerton (BMW, 1:33.118) and Matt Walters (Kawasaki, 1:35.810) — both 11th hour replacements for injured internationals – were 15th and 22nd respectively on their EVO-spec machines.
Glenn Allerton used the session to continue his busy program of familiarisation with the BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike. After completing only four laps in the wet morning session, to be third quickest, this afternoon the Sydneysider went through a number of rear shock changes as he adapts the machine and himself to the task at hand. After completing 18 laps in the afternoon session Allerton ended FP2 15th quickest, the fastest BMW in the Superbike field, and the fourth quickest EVO spec’ machine with a 1m33.118.
There were two massive highside crashes in the session, with Sykes’ teammate Loris Baz coming unstuck at turn 12, and minutes later Chaz Davies was catapulted over his factory Ducati at turn nine. Both riders were unhurt.
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Jonathan Rea (Honda, 1:31.436) was fifth fastest from Eugene Laverty (Suzuki, 1:31.448).
![Marco Melandri (2nd): “This was not an easy day because of the weather, but it was definitely positive. Even with only one session we managed to follow the scheduled testing programme with good results. There is still room for improvement in many areas, but we are able to lap fast easily and that is a good starting point for Sunday's races. Tomorrow I'll try to focus efforts on speed and on the fast lap for qualifying because with times as close as they are starting as far up front as possible will be important”.](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/03_ApriliaSBK_Melandri-1024x652.jpg)
![Jonathan Rea - 5th, 1m31.426s - "We continued with our testing programme from earlier this week when we completed a race distance on the C-spec tyre. We also wanted to try the bigger Pirelli tyre but we still need to do a bit more time on that. It was harder for me to do the lap time but it might be good for the end of the race, so we’ll have to see. We have also refined our engine-braking strategies and I’m quite happy with that. I think the grip has dropped a little today and I experienced a bit of instability from the rear on corner exit so we need to look at that. It might be the new engine that we put in for the start of the season or the lack of grip, but it occurs in quite a few areas. It’s a shame we missed the first session this morning but we’ll do some more time on the big tyre tomorrow morning and also try Pirelli's soft option to see if that is a potential race tyre, too. The wind changed a lot today and that made my problems in the last corner vanish because it really helped me to turn, but it also made it harder to get into turn one. Windy conditions here really do play with the set-up of the bike so we need to pay attention to that come raceday."](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Rea_LHF-1024x681.jpg)
![Leon Haslam - 7th, 1m31.533s - "We’re not a million miles away, in spite of the fact that we actually had a few problems. The front brake was dragging quite badly in a straight line, which obviously affected top speed, but also in the corners. We also had slightly different software for the engine-braking so had to use the whole session getting it back to where we were in the test; and we’re still not quite there. I didn’t use the soft today and felt pretty good on the harder tyre from the test. I think we could have gone a lot quicker but just ran out of time. Tomorrow, we need to do some work on the race tyres. There are three possible options, including two softer ones, so we’ll have to see how they perform."](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Haslam_RHS-1024x683.jpg)
![Niccolo Canepa Niccolò Canepa (12th): “This morning the track was wet and we preferred not to ride while this afternoon track conditions were very difficult and totally different to what we faced during testing. The track was dirty and the wind gave us trouble. At the start I had difficulty finding my rhythm and only in the final stages was I able to find the right pace. I tried the soft tyre but I didn’t get on well with it and I recorded my best time on a hard tyre. We had to work to adapt my Panigale to the track conditions but without changing absolutely everything. We consolidated our position at the head of the Evo pack and tomorrow I hope that the track has better grip so that we can try to improve and get into the top ten.”](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Canepa-Friday-2.jpg)
afternoon track conditions were very difficult and totally different to what we faced during testing.
The track was dirty and the wind gave us trouble. At the start I had difficulty finding my rhythm
and only in the final stages was I able to find the right pace. I tried the soft tyre but I didn’t get on
well with it and I recorded my best time on a hard tyre. We had to work to adapt my Panigale to
the track conditions but without changing absolutely everything. We consolidated our position at
the head of the Evo pack and tomorrow I hope that the track has better grip so that we can try to
improve and get into the top ten.”
![Sylvain Guintoli (10th): “The first day went well. I was trying to confirm a few setups that we had to try before the race, so we used this session to check them. I wasn't looking for a top time. Besides, the strong wind bothered my riding quite a bit. Tomorrow we'll try to pick up the pace now that we know which direction to go. We need to prepare as best as possible for two long and difficult races”.](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/04_ApriliaSBK_Guintoli-1024x610.jpg)
![Geoff May (20th) – Team Hero EBR: ”We are continuing to improve the bike and constantly trying new things. It’s much better now on the back part of the section and on the run up to Lucky Heights. The bike is turning well, I just need a bit more drive but it will come. To be inside the top 20 is encouraging and we aren’t too far from the 33’s – let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Geoff_May.jpg)
![Aaron Yates (23rd) – Team Hero EBR: ”The bike is turning better now and I have a better feel which is encouraging. We are still working on the suspension to get more feedback with the tyres but we are definitely moving in the right direction.”](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Aaron_Yates.jpg)
Aaron Yates (23rd) – Team Hero EBR: ”The bike is turning better now and I have a better feel which is encouraging. We are still working on the suspension to get more feedback with the tyres but we are definitely moving in the right direction.”
The third practice session will be held at 9:45am tomorrow, with the fastest 20 times across the three practice sessions determining the riders who will battle for final grid positions in Superpole at 3:00pm.
Superbikes are back on track at 0945 Saturday morning for FP3. The fourth timed practice session is scheduled for 1230 before Superpole gets underway at 1500.
World Superbike Free Practice 2
No. Rider | Nat | Bike | |
1 | 22 A.LOWES | GBR | SuzukiGSX-R1000 |
2 | 33 M.MELANDRI | ITA | ApriliaRSV4Factory |
3 | 34 D.GIUGLIANO | ITA | Ducati1199PanigaleR |
4 | 1 T. SYKES | GBR | KawasakiZX-10R |
5 | 65 J. REA | GBR | HondaCBR1000RR |
6 | 58 E.LAVERTY | IRL | SuzukiGSX-R1000 |
7 | 91 L. HASLAM | GBR | HondaCBR1000RR |
8 | 76 L. BAZ | FRA | KawasakiZX-10R |
9 | 7 C.DAVIES | GBR | Ducati1199PanigaleR |
10 | 50 S.GUINTOLI | FRA | ApriliaRSV4Factory |
11 | 24 T. ELIAS | ESP | ApriliaRSV4Factory |
12 | 59 N.CANEPA | ITA | Ducati1199 PanigaleREVO |
13 | 9 F. FORET | FRA | KawasakiZX-10REVO |
14 | 44 D.SALOM | ESP | KawasakiZX-10REVO |
15 | 14 G.ALLERTON | AUS | BMWS1000RREVO |
16 | 71 C.CORTI | ITA | MVAgustaF4RR |
17 | 32 S.MORAIS | RSA | KawasakiZX-10REVO |
18 | 21 A.ANDREOZZI | ITA | KawasakiZX-10REVO |
19 | 11 J. GUARNONI | FRA | KawasakiZX-10REVO |
20 | 99 G.MAY | USA | EBR1190 RX |
21 | 10 I. TOTH | HUN | BMWS1000RR |
22 | 12 M.WALTERS | AUS | KawasakiZX-10REVO |
23 | 20 A.YATES | USA | EBR1190 RX |
24 | 56 P. SEBESTYEN | HUN | BMWS1000RREVO |
![Alex Lowes leaves pitlane at Phillip Island this afternoon before setting the quickest 1m31.1 time in FP2.](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/FP2_Lowes_PitLane-1024x862.jpg)
Turkey’s Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) has resumed front-running service in the world supersport class ahead of the opening race in the championship at Phillip Island this Sunday.
After setting the fastest time in the final pre-season test at Phillip Island earlier this week, Sofuoglu was again the pacesetter as he set a best lap of 1min33.618sec, well ahead of second-placed British rider Kev Coghlan (Yamaha, 1:34.263).
While the session was productive for Sofuoglu, despite his bike expiring at turn one near the end of the 45-minute session, Australia’s big hope Bryan Staring (Honda) crashed at turn six and ended up 13th in the timesheets with a best lap of 1:35.109.
Staring; “I was trying to improve the lap time with the new tyre when I lost the rear. The bike is ok, there isn’t much damage and I’m ok so we will come back tomorrow and keep trying. The test earlier in the week went ok and we have consistency on our side we just need to find a little bit more.”
The crash was a real setback for the ex-MotoGP rider from Perth, who was already playing catch-up on his competitors after a condensed pre-season on the CBR600RR – basically the two-day test at Phillip Island on Monday and Tuesday.
Another big-name to crash was Dutchman Michael van der Mark (Honda), who is expected to push Sofuoglu all the way in 2014.
Van der Mark (1:34.294) was fourth in practice two, behind Raffaele de Rosa (Honda, 1:34.277) and ahead of Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta, 1:34.337) and Patrick Jacobsen (Kawasaki, 1:34.366).
Rivamoto Honda new signing Bryan Staring ended the session 13th quickest, 1.5 seconds behind pacesetter Sofuoglu, and three places ahead of fellow Australian Billy McConnell.
Wildcard Racing entrant Ryan Taylor finished the session in 23rd place with a 1m37.303.
The World Supersport riders have one final free practice session at 1045 tomorrow before the all- important 45 minute session to decide the starting grid, which is scheduled to take place at 1555 local time.
World Supersport Free Practice 2
No. Rider | Nat | Team | Bike | Time | Gap | Rel. | Laps | Avg | Max | |
1 | 54 K.SOFUOGLU | TUR | MAHIRacingTeamIndia | KawasakiZX-6R | 1’33.618 | 22 | 170,929 | 272,7 | ||
2 | 88 K.COGHLAN | GBR | DMC Panavto-Yamaha | YamahaYZFR6 | 1’34.263 | 0.645 | 0.645 | 19 | 169,759 | 270,0 |
3 | 35 R.DEROSA | ITA | CorePTRHonda | HondaCBR600RR | 1’34.277 | 0.659 | 0.014 | 20 | 169,734 | 268,0 |
4 | 60 M.VDMARK | NED | PATAHondaWorldSupersport | HondaCBR600RR | 1’34.294 | 0.676 | 0.017 | 16 | 169,703 | 274,1 |
5 | 16 J. CLUZEL | FRA | MVAgustaRC-YakhnichM. | MVAgustaF3675 | 1’34.337 | 0.719 | 0.043 | 18 | 169,626 | 272,7 |
6 | 99 P. JACOBSEN | USA | KawasakiIntermotoPonyexpres | KawasakiZX-6R | 1’34.366 | 0.748 | 0.029 | 16 | 169,574 | 264,7 |
7 | 14 R.WILAIROT | THA | CorePTRHonda | HondaCBR600RR | 1’34.526 | 0.908 | 0.160 | 21 | 169,287 | 268,7 |
8 | 21 F. MARINO | FRA | KawasakiIntermotoPonyexpres | KawasakiZX-6R | 1’34.721 | 1.103 | 0.195 | 14 | 168,938 | 268,7 |
9 | 5 R.TAMBURINI | ITA | SanCarloPuccettiRacing | KawasakiZX-6R | 1’34.729 | 1.111 | 0.008 | 19 | 168,924 | 266,7 |
10 | 65 V. LEONOV | RUS | MVAgustaRC-YakhnichM. | MVAgustaF3675 | 1’34.833 | 1.215 | 0.104 | 15 | 168,739 | 265,4 |
11 | 61 F. MENGHI | ITA | VFTRacing | YamahaYZFR6 | 1’34.854 | 1.236 | 0.021 | 14 | 168,701 | 268,0 |
12 | 19 K.WAHR | GER | RSWahrbyKrausRacing | YamahaYZFR6 | 1’35.072 | 1.454 | 0.218 | 17 | 168,315 | 264,7 |
13 | 67 B.STARING | AUS | Rivamoto | HondaCBR600RR | 1’35.109 | 1.491 | 0.037 | 16 | 168,249 | 262,1 |
14 | 26 L. ZANETTI | ITA | PATAHondaWorldSupersport | HondaCBR600RR | 1’35.140 | 1.522 | 0.031 | 12 | 168,194 | 274,8 |
15 | 81 G.GOWLAND | GBR | SmithsTriumph | Triumph675R | 1’35.195 | 1.577 | 0.055 | 21 | 168,097 | 262,1 |
16 | 3 B.MCCONNELL | AUS | SmithsTriumph | Triumph675R | 1’35.237 | 1.619 | 0.042 | 21 | 168,023 | 262,1 |
17 | 84 R.RUSSO | ITA | TeamLorini | HondaCBR600RR | 1’35.992 | 2.374 | 0.755 | 16 | 166,701 | 262,1 |
18 | 9 T. COVEÑA | NED | KawasakiPonyexpresIntermoto | KawasakiZX-6R | 1’36.148 | 2.530 | 0.156 | 19 | 166,431 | 268,7 |
19 | 44 R.ROLFO | ITA | Team GOEleven | KawasakiZX-6R | 1’36.318 | 2.700 | 0.170 | 18 | 166,137 | 261,5 |
20 | 11 C.GAMARINO | ITA | TeamGOEleven | KawasakiZX-6R | 1’36.617 | 2.999 | 0.299 | 16 | 165,623 | 266,7 |
21 | 7 N.CALERO | ESP | CIAInsuranceHonda | HondaCBR600RR | 1’36.730 | 3.112 | 0.113 | 18 | 165,430 | 264,7 |
22 | 24 M.BUSSOLOTTI | ITA | TeamLorini | HondaCBR600RR | 1’36.912 | 3.294 | 0.182 | 18 | 165,119 | 255,3 |
23 | 52 R.TAYLOR | AUS | OzWildcardRacing | YamahaYZFR6 | 1’37.303 | 3.685 | 0.391 | 17 | 164,455 | 257,8 |
24 | 89 F. ROGERS | GBR | ComPlusSMSRacing | HondaCBR600RR | 1’37.378 | 3.760 | 0.075 | 21 | 164,329 | 268,0 |
25 | 161 A.IVANOV | RUS | DMC Panavto-Yamaha | YamahaYZFR6 | 1’38.413 | 4.795 | 1.035 | 12 | 162,600 | 268,0 |
![Turkey’s Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) has resumed front-running service in the world supersport class ahead of the opening race in the championship at Phillip Island this Sunday.](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/lr-Kenan-Sofuoglu-fastest-in-practice-today-1.jpg)
![Bryan Staring (Honda) crashed at turn six and ended up 13th in the timesheets with a best lap of 1:35.109.](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/lr-Bryan-Staring-on-the-Rivamoto-Honda-in-practice-today.jpg)