It was an exciting last run for pole position of the World Superbike season opener at Phillip Island, and the man to take it was Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes. Sykes laid down a blistering 1:30.020, the fastest ever World Superbike lap around the seaside Australian circuit. It was also the Superpole specialist’s 31st career pole, moving Sykes closer to Troy Corser’s all-time record of 43.
Aruba.it Ducati’s Davide Giugliano was a .078 of a second behind and completing the front was Sykes’ teammate Jonathan Rea with a 1:30.170.
Early leader Sylvain Guintoli was shuffled back to fourth. Joining him on the second row of the grid in fifth was teammate Alex Lowes, a good effort for the Pata Yamaha squad with the new R1's World Superbike debut.
Following the Pata Yamaha’s was Honda World Superbike Team’s Michael van der Mark and Nicky Hayden. In eighth was Lorenzo Savadori on IodaRacing Team Aprilia. And rounding out the top 10 was Giugliano’s teammate Chaz Davies and MV Agusta Reparto Corse’s Leon Camier.
2016 World Superbike Phillip Island Qualifying Results:
Tom Sykes (GBR) Kawasaki Racing Team 1:30.020
Davide Giugliano (ITA) Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1:30.098
Jonathan Rea (GBR) Kawasaki Racing Team 1:30.170
Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team 1:30.281
Alex Lowes (GBR) Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team 1:30.354
Michael van der Mark (NED) Honda World Superbike Team 1:30.468
Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda World Superbike Team 1:30.479
Lorenzo Savadori (ITA) IodaRacing Team Aprilia 1:30.609
Chaz Davies (GBR) Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1:30.717
Leon Camier (GBR) MV Agusta Reparto Corse 1:30.795
Markus Reiterberger (GER) Althea BMW Racing Team 1:31.031
Jordi Torres (ESP) Althea BMW Racing Team 1:31.207
Xavi Fores (ESP) Barni Racing Team Ducati 1:31.871
Josh Brookes (AUS) Milwaukee BMW 1:31.927
Sylvain Barrier (FRA) Pedercini Kawasaki 1:32.077
Karel Abraham (CZE) Milwaukee BMW 1:32.117
Ramon Ramos (ESP) Team GoEleven Kawasaki 1:32.194
Alex de Angelis (RSM) IodaRacing Team Aprilia 1:33.507
Dominic Schmitter (SUI) Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki 1:33.664
Saeed Al Sulaiti (QAT) Pedercini Kawasaki 1:33.690
Mike Jones (AUS) Desmo Sport Ducati 1:33.722
Peter Sebestyen (HUN) Team Toth Yamaha 1:34.346
Imre Toth (HUN) Team Toth Yamaha 1:36.272
