Spies takes provisional pole at Assen

Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) powered to the provisional pole at the end of the first day of action at Assen. The Texan, a total newcomer to the Dutch track, set an impressive time of 1 minute 38.747 seconds, four-tenths of a second away from last year's record time of Bayliss in qualifying, but which was obtained on qualifying tyres. Spies was the only rider to dip under the 1'39 mark, but the session was a hard-fought affair as behind the Yamaha there were 15 riders in the space of 1 second.

Second time of the day went to Jakub Smrz (Ducati Guandalini), a fraction ahead of the four-cylinder machines of Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki Alstare) and Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda). Fifth place went to Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), the first Italian in the standings, while a convincing Regis Laconi (Ducati DFX) and the other Suzuki Alstare machine of Max Neukirchner, together with Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) make up the provisional front row.

Troy Corser put in another positive performance on his BMW S1000 RR to take the eleventh quickest slot, one position in front of the championship leader Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), who lapped in a good race pace. Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike) crashed out towards the end of the session, while Assen proved to be an unfortunate circuit once again for John Hopkins (Stiggy Racing Honda), who crashed heavily in the morning's free practice session. The American dislocated his left hip in the crash and will miss the race. Tomorrow a decision will be taken on any eventual further measures and how long he needs for recovery.

Results: 1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'38.747; 2. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'39.055; 3. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'39.128; 4. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.141; 5. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'39.238; 6. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'39.246; 7. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'39.265; 8. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.359; 9. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.506; 10. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.585; 11. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'39.597; 12. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'39.621; 13. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'39.784; 14. Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'39.897; 15. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'39.899; 16. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'39.934