Melandri Dominates Day One in Aragon

Marco Melandri prevailed in the Spanish heat today in Aragon, dominating the time sheets throughout the first day of round seven of the World Superbike Championship. The extreme heat and elevated track temperature of 56 degrees proved no obstacle as the Italian produced impressive lap times, being the only rider to register less than two minutes on the clock, in this afternoon’s first qualifying session, where he finished in first place. Melandri also set the new circuit’s best lap time this afternoon, clocking in at an impressive 1’59.726, over three tenths of a second faster than Checa, the current championship leader.

Eugene Laverty was also on form today in the Spanish sunshine. The World Superbike Rookie spent the morning getting re-acquainted with a decisively hotter track than that tested just a month ago, following his double victory in Monza. Laverty proceeded to make improvements throughout the afternoon’s qualifying session, modifying the geometry and the electronics of his machine in search of the optimal chassis settings ahead of Sunday’s races, before completing the session in ninth place.

Yamaha World Superbike riders also recorded the fastest speeds of the day. Marco Melandri rode his powerful YZF- R1 to a maximum of 316.5 km/ph while Eugene Laverty was the second fastest on the track, reaching a high of 314.6 km/ph.

Marco Melandri

Yamaha World Superbike Team - 1st, 1'59.726
"It was most definitely a very good day for me. We actually didn’t change the settings at all from Misano and in a certain sense that worries me but today was really good so that’s a step in the right direction. Aragon won’t be easy, going by the high track temperatures and on Sunday from mid race we’ll have to be careful and play our cards right to ensure the tyres last to the end. Let’s hope it’s not quite as hot in the next few days. I’m delighted with today’s results but I’m also sure the top riders will soon catch up."

Eugene Laverty

Yamaha World Superbike Team- 9th, 2'00.377
"Overall, I’m quite happy with today. In qualifying I felt we had made an improvement from this morning’s free practice. We definitely made a step in the right direction but it wasn’t quite enough. I think we can be stronger tomorrow in the second qualifying session and hopefully it will also be a little bit cooler. With a little work tomorrow, I’m confident that I’ll be where I want to be by Sunday."