BMW MOTORRAD ITALIA SUPERBIKE TEAM - SILVERSTONE - SUPERPOLE

A fall in Superpole  did not stop Ayrton Badovini from making a third row, tenth place start. Pleased to be back, James Toseland qualified for Superpole and reached 14th. Zanetti and Barrier, respectively fourth and fifth in Superstock, will start from the first and second rows.

It has been an emotion filled day for the BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team which had both riders qualifying for Superpole.

Ayrton Badovini fell in the early stages of Superpole 1 but was able to pit and get back out immediately on a second bike, from which he then qualified for Superpole 2. The second run proved to be very closely fought and Ayrton, in pain, reached the third row, with the tenth fastest time, missing Superpole 3 by 45 thousands of a second.  

"I am satisfied” Ayrton said after the Superpole – “because regardless of the Superpole result, the fall meant that I was ‘forced’ to ride the second bike and I liked it. We have thus identified a new set-up solution for the race. Of course, we see these choices as dependent on temperature. In comparison with my competitors we are relaxed and we will be ready for tomorrow. "

James Toseland, on his return, reached Superpole and his time allows him to start from the fourth row. His physical condition is still limiting his performance and the British rider has conserved some of his energy for tomorrow's races.

James said: "It has been nice to get back on track and although I didn’t get beyond Superpole 1 I’m still in perfect shape. During qualifying I could have pushed harder but it takes it out on my wrist and that saps my energy. Overall, my time is not far from the top but I have to work to bridge the gap. Over the next events we will continue to develop the bike and I'm excited to finally be able to contribute to the team".

 The BMW Motorrad Italia Superstock Team has Lorenzo Zanetti on the front row (fourth fastest time), a position that will allow the Brescia rider to get a good start and be with the leaders. Sylvain Barrier, however, starts from just behind on the second row in fifth place.  

Serafino Foti, sporting director of BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team at the end of qualifying the day commented: "Today we suffered because we struggled a little to find the right set-up for both riders. In the end we managed to find something in free practice before Superpole, especially for Ayrton. His fall in Superpole 1 was unfortunate, because track time is limited. After the shock of the fall, Ayrton reacted very well in getting back on the bike and making Superpole 2. We are quite confident for the race, although as a precaution we have sent Ayrton to hospital for checks as he sustained a hard impact on his chest from the tank and we don’t want complications.  James reached Superpole but still hasn’t found the right bike balance. We will try to make further changes tomorrow to solve the problem. I expected more from the Superstock final qualifying session, even though we pay much less on race pace. It promises to be another hard fought race like the others in the championship. "

Superbike - Superpole: 1. J. Hopkins (Suzuki) 2'04 .041 - 2. E. Laverty (Yamaha) + 0.027 - 3. L. Camier (Aprilia) + 0.262 ... 10. A. Badovini (BMW)... 14. J. Toseland (BMW)

Superstock - Qualifyng: 1. D. Petrucci (Ducati) 2'08 "582 -  2. Giugliano D. (Ducati) + 0.197 - 3. N. Canepa (Ducati) + 0.586 -  4. L. Zanetti (BMW) + 0.633 - 5. S. Barrier (BMW ) + 0.994.