Following yesterday’s World Superbike double header at Imola, the majority of the teams (except for Effenbert-Liberty, Pata and Pro Ride Honda) stayed over for an official day of testing, ahead of the Assen round that takes place April 22nd.
The test however was marred by Joan Lascorz’ horrific high speed crash (200km/h) and the sobering news that the 27-year old Kawasaki rider is undergoing spinal surgery at the Ospedale Maggiore in Bologna, and unfortunately the prognosis is not good, as the latest reports from Italy are saying that the injuries are very severe and Lascorz is at high risk of lower limb paralysis.
The Italian police are currently investigating the incident (its standard procedure) and have confiscated the #17 Kawasaki and found that the frame had broken apart on impact.
The riders were unsure if to continue the afternoon session, but the Imola race direction said there were no safety issues involved and it was up to the riders to continue and with almost everyone (except for Althea Racing, Chaz Davies and John Hopkins who decided to rest their injuries) heading back to the track for more testing.
Tom Sykes who podiumed with two second places on Sunday posted the fastest lap time and set a new Imola record of 1.
46.
609 improving on his Superpole time ( 1.
47.
748) and his own lap time during the race thanks to Pirelli’s new tires.
Jonathan Rea took second place with a best time of 1′47″121, followed by Leon Camier in third with a 1′47″238, and Leon Haslam in fourth.
Max Biaggi was fifth ahead of the Imola double winner Carlos Checa.
WSBK Imola Test results1.
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1′46.
6092.
Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 1′47.
1213.
Leon Camier (Crescent Fixi Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′47.
2384.
Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1′47.
2575.
Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′47.
3516.
Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1′47.
4307.
Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1′47.
7798.
Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′47.
8489.
Niccolò Canepa (Red Devils Roma) Ducati 1098R 1′47.
98910.
Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1′48.
01111.
David Salom (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1′48.
06612.
Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 1′48.
14913.
Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1′48.
19714.
Michel Fabrizio (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 1′48.
27315.
Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 1′48.
48416.
Mark Aitchison (Grillini Progea Superbike Team) BMW S1000 RR 1′48.
91517.
Leandro Mercado (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1′49.
80518.
Chaz Davies (ParkinGO MTC Racing) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′50.
12419.
John Hopkins (Crescent Fixi Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′50.
378