Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/997997
ROAD RACE MOTUL FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 8 / JUNE 22-24, 2018 WEATHERTECH RACEWAY / MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA P96 DUCATI ON THE POLE Chaz Davies recorded Ducati's 175th pole position, his sixth and first since Imola last year, moving up to the 18th all-time spot alongside John Kocinski and Cal Crutchlow. Ducati became the first manufacturer with at least 10 pole positions at Laguna Seca: an amazing feat, considering that their best competitor is Kawasaki at three. This is the seventh track with at least 10 pole positions for Ducati after Don- ington (15), Brands Hatch (13), Assen (12), Misano (11), Phillip Island (11) and Sugo (10). FROM THE FRONT In qualifying, Jonathan Rea recorded his seventh front row of the season. He has missed out on a front row start this year only at the opening round in Phillip Island (sixth on the grid). SYKES' SORROWS From second on the grid to seventh at the finish was a backwards race for Tom Sykes on Saturday: that was his worst finishing spot out of 11 races contested at Laguna Seca, a track that Sykes enjoys. His seventh on race one put an end to an amazing streak of eight consecutive podiums here starting in 2014. SLIPPING AND SLIDING Loris Baz (Althea BMW Racing), like many other riders, struggled with grip all weekend. "Another difficult day for us," said Baz after pulling up the rear in race one. "We tried different solutions for our problems but noth- ing worked and we had to go back to our original setup from Friday. I did everything I could during Superpole 1 and I managed to qualify into Super- pole 2, a result I did not expect at all. I then tried to follow someone with the qualifying tire to try to improve by a few positions but I lost the front in the Corkscrew. It is a pity because I'm sure a third-row start was pos- sible. At the start of the race, I was in a group with Herrin, Hernández and even Gagne. With the full tank I kept losing the front until I crashed in the last corner of the third lap. Despite some damage to the bike, I managed to re-join and score a point. Honestly, there was nothing more I could do. I pushed so hard on the bike. We will try again tomorrow." Baz had a much better day Sunday by cracking the top 10. Briefly... Alex Lowes gave Yamaha a hard- earned spot on the podium in race one and had a great battle with teammate Michael van der Mark in race two.