A good start for team Althea and Davide Giugliano in Istanbul

Today saw team Althea Racing take part in the first practice and qualifying sessions of this, the eleventh round of the World Superbke championship at Intercity Istanbul Park in Turkey. This is a first visit to the Turkish track for both the championship and the Althea Racing team and conditions were hot and sunny for today’s opening sessions.

Davide Giugliano made a good start to the weekend and thanks to a time of 1.58”445 he secured sixth position in the morning’s free practice session which was 90 minutes in length rather than the usual 45, to give riders a chance to learn the new layout. Without pushing, team Althea’s rider was able to demonstrate his confidence on what is a technical track that is not easy to interpret. In the first qualifying session Davide was able to improve on his best time, stopping the clock at 1’57”649, a time which positioned him eighth at the session’s end.

A positive start for Genesio Bevilacqua’s team that has worked hard to prepare for tomorrow’s Superpole but above all for Sunday’s races.

Davide Giugliano: “The track is great and I’m having fun riding this new layout. Together with my team we are working hard to find a good setting for my RSV4 and we’re making some modifications that will allow me to improve my rhythm. I’m not far from the leaders, many of whom have already raced on this track, while it is totally new to me. In the afternoon we improved on this morning’s performance, a sign that we’re moving in the right direction. I’m confident for tomorrow and look forward to continuing with the work started today.”

Intercity Istanbul Park

First free practice session: 1) Guintoli (Aprilia) – 2) Melandri (BMW) – 3) Sykes (Kawasaki) - 4) Haslam (Honda) – 5) Elias (Aprilia) - 6) Giugliano (Aprilia)

First qualifying session: 1) Guintoli (Aprilia) – 2) Melandri (BMW) – 3) Laverty (Aprilia) – 4) Sykes (Kawasaki) - 5) Elias (Aprilia) – 6) Cluzel (Suzuki) – 7) Davies (BMW) - 8) Giugliano (Aprilia)