Davide Giugliano impressed everyone with another incredible practice session at Imola, with the Aruba Ducati rider placing himself in contention for a hot Superpole session after his latest practice exploits.
The Italian posted a 1’47.116, the fastest time all weekend, showing that his return from injury has not slowed him at all.
Giugliano held off the Kawasakis of Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes, with both men also posting times in the 1’47s and continuing their good weekend at Imola.
Sitting just behind Sykes and Rea on the time sheets was Giugliano’s team-mate Chaz Davies, as the Welshman took his Panigale around the circuit in 1’47.686, which was only good enough for fourth.
Leon Haslam’s consistent weekend continued as the Derbyshire rider took his Aprilia to fifth spot, a place he has sat in both previous practice sessions. Haslam was the only other rider to lap in the 1’47s but in all three sessions so far he has just been off the top riders.
His Aprilia team-mate Jordi Torres has sorted out his earlier problems as he sat outside the top ten during yesterday’s practice but was able to post a 1’48.093 in the third session, which placed him seventh and put good preparations in place ahead of Superpole.
In front of Torres in sixth was Ayrton Badovini, as Leandro Mercado, David Salom and Alex Lowes rounded out the top ten.
Lowes will be slightly disappointed with his 1’48.660 but the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki team are working slowly but surely to get things back on track after a disastrous Assen round.
The Pata Honda duo of Sylvain Guintoli and Michael Van Der Mark enjoyed something of an impressive round in the Netherlands, but so far in Italy they have struggled.
Current champion Guintoli could only put his Honda in 15th place and Van Der Mark toiled also, posting a 1’48.669, only good enough for 11th.
