WorldSBK: Davies Fires First At Laguna Seca
Gordon Ritchie | July 8, 2016
As the FIM Superbike World Championship made its annual pilgrimage to the Laguna Seca circuit in the USA, last year’s Laguna double winner Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) regained his best form to lead the field home on day one of practice, with a 1:23.622 second lap time.
World champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) placed second, just 0.074 seconds back from the lead.
Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) eventually moved into third place, pleasing the local fans on his homecoming, in what is his first full WorldSBK season.
The second KRT rider, Tom Sykes, placed fourth on day one, displaced late in the session by Hayden’s push. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) was best Yamaha rider, in fifth, 0.290 seconds from the best day one time. A top six position for Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) could have been the fastest lap of all, but for a late drop in pace.
A late recovery from Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) placed him seventh and he was the best of the S1000RR riders on show on day one.
A top performance from Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing Team Aprilia) saw him eighth, after a crash at the Corkscrew on day one. The lead privateer Ducati belonged to Spaniard Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team Ducati) in ninth place, with the top ten rounded out by substitute Yamaha rider, Niccolo Canepa (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team).