One thing Ben Spies has learned when competing at Miller Motorsports Park is that speed can be a deceptive thing.
Because of the flatness of the track and a lack of natural landmarks — such as trees — that can be used as reference points, the Texan racer has learned to find different ways to channel his mental energy to keep focused on racing in peak form.
Neither Spies nor Italian racer Max Biaggi had trouble generating speed or finding rhythm during the initial qualifying session for the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship on Friday afternoon.
Biaggi turned in the fastest lap time at 1 minute and 49.82 seconds. Spies ended up being just a whisker behind him with a fast lap of 1:49.901. Deseret News
Max Biaggi topped the timesheets at the end of the first qualifying session for this weekend’s FIM Superbike World Championship round at the Miller Motorsport Park in the United States.
The Aprilia veteran posted a time of one minute 49.820 seconds to edge title contender Ben Spies into second place on the Yamaha.
Home favourite Spies was less than two tenths off the provisional pole-setting pace of the Italian, who claimed the quickest time with a dramatic last-gasp effort around the 4.907-kilometre track near Salt Lake City.
Ten Kate Honda’s Carlos Checa topped the timesheets for much of the session but had to settle for third place, his best lap over three tenths shy of Biaggi’s pace. The Press Association
2009 WSB United States - Salt Lake City 29/05/2009
Qualifying 1
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 1’49.820
2 Ben Spies Yamaha USA 1’49.901
3 Carlos Checa Honda ESP 1’50.144
4 Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 1’50.282
5 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 1’50.457
6 Jamie Hacking Kawasaki USA 1’50.466
7 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 1’50.512
8 Yukio Kagayama Suzuki JPN 1’50.556
9 Ryuichi Kiyonari Honda JPN 1’50.701
10 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 1’50.740
11 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 1’50.755
12 Karl Muggeridge Suzuki AUS 1’50.757
13 Broc Parkes Kawasaki AUS 1’50.961
14 Troy Corser BMW AUS 1’51.002
15 Gregorio Lavilla Ducati ESP 1’51.046
19 Tom Sykes Yamaha GBR 1’51.387
26 Erwan Nigon Yamaha FRA 1’52.932
| 
|