Third pole running for Tom Sykes in World Superbikes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tom Sykes broke the lap record as he claimed his third consecutive World Superbike Championship pole position yesterday.
The Briton, who won at this Italian circuit last season, guided his Kawasaki round the Italian circuit in 1min 41.223sec, breaking Max Biaggi's record from 2011.
Next on the grid will be Northern Ireland's Eugene Laverty, who was eight one-hundredths of a second behind, with the championship leader, Sylvain Guintoli, third on the other Aprilia Racing Team bike.
All three riders went under Biaggi's previous best of 1min 41.745sec, but it is Sykes who starts from the front of the grid.
The top three were engaged in a tense battle all the way through SP3, with Laverty the first to lower Biaggi's mark only for Sykes to go quicker shortly after.
Guintoli had initial problems but managed to post his best time with his final lap to complete the front row.
The Frenchman currently tops the standings on 111 points with the chasing trio of Sykes, Laverty and Welshman Chaz Davies 28 points back.
The Honda of Jonathan Rea will start from fourth with Marco Melandri (BMW GoldBet) and Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) completing the second row.
The Suzukis of Jules Cluzel and Leon Camier are next, with Davies starting from ninth on his BMW.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments