World Superbike grid positions for Monza

Raceline Photography
By blue2bikes
May 8 2005

Yukio Kagayama secured the top spot today in the Superpole shoot out, with team-mate Troy Corser in second place in readiness for the kick off on Sunday at Monza.

Chris Vermuelen had scorched the track earlier, and was leading the times going into the session, but it was not to be his day come Superpole time, and he could only manage a fifth position. But Régis Laconi secured a good third position, with his team-mate and current world champion, James Toseland, holding out for a lowly eighth position.

Frankie Chilli hopes to put last year’s disasters behind him - when he suffered a failed engine in the first race and crashed out in the second race - and says he wants to prove them all wrong this time around, and get onto the podium at his home circuit.

Chris Walker, a revitalised rider in the last round, should go well here, and lets hope he has no mishaps and carries his good form through. But alas James is still not on top of his form, and is struggling somewhat - although he is improving he is very frustrated at the moment.

Surprisingly enough, though, after being shown exactly what slipstreaming means during testing here last week by his team-mate Troy, Yukio should go well, and will be in readiness for anyone behind him when the lights turn green. Out-running Troy in the Superpole will have given Yukio loads of confidence, having never raced here before.

Will the big Suzukis win this race on such a fast circuit, where concentration must be at the highest level, or will other riders have a chance? Who knows, but whatever happens this round should be one not to miss - with Frankie and Laconi out there it will be one of the best yet.

Superpole times:
1 Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki
2 Troy Corser, Suzuki
3 Régis Laconi, Ducati
4 Karl Muggeridge, Honda
5 Chris Vermeulen, Honda
6 Andrew Pitt, Yamaha
7 Chris Walker, Kawasaki
8 James Toseland, Ducati
9 Frankie Chili, Honda
10 Giovanni Bussei, Kawasaki
11 Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha
12 Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati
13 José Luís Cardoso, Yamaha
14 Norick Abe, Yamaha
15 Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki
16 Sébastien Gimbert, Yamaha