Ducati’s Chaz Davies gave himself a final boost ahead of Superpole at Aragon World Superbike as he finished third practice top, just in front of the Kawasaki of Tom Sykes.
If practice is anything to go by it looks as if those two will have a straight duel for Superpole but the marked performance of the Hondas is something both men will have to take into consideration.
Michael Van Der Mark and Nicky Hayden took their Fireblades to third and fourth on the grid, respectively, and they too will be itching to get to Superpole and racing this afternoon.
Elsewhere, in what was a frantic session despite Superpole 2 having been decided, Jonathan Rea finished a somewhat disappointing – by his own high standards – fifth ahead of an excellent five-lap run from Xavi Fores.
Most of the grid managed to get a comprehensive body of seven laps in during their 15 minutes of action, with Jordi Torres using the maximum to take seventh just ahead of the Ducati of Davide Giugliano and Pata Yamaha’s Sylvain Guintoli.
The top nine were separated by under a second, showing the pace on offer and even Leon Camier – who finished tenth – was only just over a second off Davies’ efforts.
Alex Lowes will feel he has more work to do after he could only muster 11th on his Yamaha with Althea BMW’s Markus Reiterberger in behind.
The Milwaukee BMW duo of Josh Brookes and Karel Abraham showed their so-far-tough weekend shows no sign of abating, as the current BSB champ finished 17th and his Czech team-mate 20th.
Nine laps was all the pair could gather between them and they will hope for better come Superpole, with both men starting off in Superpole 1.
