Biaggi claims superpole
Max Biaggi set a new track record to claim his first superpole of the year at the Nurburgring on Saturday.
Last Updated: 08/09/12 5:42pm
Italian Max Biaggi set a new track record to claim his first superpole of the year at the Nurburgring on Saturday.
The Aprilia rider clocked one minute 53.855 seconds to earn only the fifth superpole of his career, with Tom Sykes forced, for once, to settle for second-best.
Briton Sykes had won seven of the 11 superpoles this season heading into this 12th round of the World Superbike Championship.
But the Kawasaki rider was unable to match Biaggi's pace, managing only to post a time of 1:53.904secs.
Third place went to championship leader Marco Melandri of BMW while Aprilia Racing's Eugene Laverty and Honda's Jonathan Rea were fourth and fifth respectively.
Sixth spot when to reigning world champion Carlos Checa of Althea, followed by Leon Camier on the Suzuki and Kawasaki rider Loris Baz in seventh and eighth.
Melandri took over at the top of the overall standings after claiming a second place and a win last time out in Moscow.
The BMW rider moved onto 308.5 points, replacing 2010 champion Biaggi, who dropped to second with 290 points. Sykes is third with 267.5.
