Neither of Castrol Honda’s two replacement riders was able to qualifying for today’s Superpole sessions for tomorrow’s two ninth-round World Superbike races at Silverstone in the UK.

Alex Lowes, who is riding in place of the injured Jonathan, finished regular qualifying 18th fastest, while his team-mate for the Silverstone weekend, Fabrizio Lai, was 21st. American John Hopkins secured pole position for Sunday’s two 18-lap races.

Lai is replacing Ruben Xaus, who sustained leg and back injuries in a crash at Brno in the Czech Republic last time out. Today’s qualifying and free practice sessions marked the Italian rider’s second day on the CBR1000RR and riding the 5.902km Silverstone circuit.

Alex Lowes – 18th 2m06.524s

Today wasn’t so good and I wasn’t able to move forward as quickly as we made progress yesterday. We sort of hit a plateau and couldn’t get any higher. The main problem I’ve got is in the slower corners where I’m just not getting any feeling from the front and the bike is wanting to push me wide. It’s a little frustrating because in the faster sectors, two and three, I’m third or fourth quickest. I suppose that’s a little glimmer of light for us but we need to find something in warm-up to be able to challenge for a couple of good results tomorrow.

Fabrizio Lai – 21st 2m07.482s

It was a little better today overall, but qualifying was a bad session for me and I could not make it to Superpole. I tried the second bike but it didn’t have such a good feeling and in slower corners I had some problems. Also, I don’t think I was using the right lines so my time is not good. I hope for two good races tomorrow and for a chance to pass some other riders.


Pole position : 2m04.041s (171.292Km/h) John Hopkins, Samsung Crescent Suzuki

Circuit record lap : 2m05.421s (169,407Km/h) Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha, 2010

Circuit Best Lap : 2m04.041s (171.292Km/h) John Hopkins, Samsung Crescent Suzuki, 2011

Qualifying position

1 John Hopkins 2m04.041s (SP3) USA SUZUKI Samsung Crescent Racing
2 Eugene Laverty +0.027s IR YAMAHA Yamaha World Superbike Team
3 Leon Camier +0.262s GBR APRILIA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team
4 Carlos Checa +0.321s SPA DUCATI Althea Racing
5 Sylvain Guintoli +1.415s FRA DUCATI Team Effenbert - Liberty Racing
6 Marco Melandri +1.598s ITA YAMAHA Yamaha World Superbike Team
7 Michel Fabrizio +1.956s ITA SUZUKI Team Suzuki Alstare
8 Noriyuki Haga 2m05.727s JPN APRILIA PATA Racing Team Aprilia
9 Leon Haslam 2m05.091s (SP2) GBR BMW BMW Motorrad Motosport
10 Ayrton Badovini +0.024 ITA BMW BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team
11 Max Biaggi +0.093s ITA APRILIA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team
12 Mark Aitchison +1.147s AUS KAWASAKI Team Pedercini
13 Jakub Smrz +2m05.400s (SP1) CZE DUCATI Team Effenbert - Liberty Racing
14 James Toseland +0.003s GBR BMW BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team
15 Maxime Berger +0.309s ITA DUCATI Supersonic Racing Team
16 Tom Sykes 2m05.899s GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team
17 Troy Corser 2m06.304s AUS BMW BMW Motorrad Motosport
18 Alex Lowes 2m06.524s GBR HONDA Castrol Honda SBK Team
19 Joan Lascorz 2m06.787s ESP KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team
20 Roberto Rolfo 2m06.895s ITA KAWASAKI Team Pedercini
21 Fabrizio Lai 2m07.482s ITA HONDA Castrol Honda SBK Team
22 Jon Kirkham 2m07.889s GBR SUZUKI Samsung Crescent Racing