Ringmaster Ayrton

Team Ducati Alstare rider Ayrton Badovini defied difficult conditions in the Nurburgring this afternoon to take his first ever Superpole victory in the Superbike World Championship. Rain began to fall just as Superpole was about to start and so a Wet Superpole was declared. The first twenty minute session was soaking wet, but Ayrton managed the conditions superbly and topped the leaderboard by a tenth of a second. The rain eased for the second twenty minute Superpole and parts of the track started to dry out, making conditions even more tricky. Ayrton was in third position, with less than two minutes remaining and it seemed he would have to be satisfied with a front row place.  But, on the very last lap, he put in a superhuman effort and ended with a lap of 2:09.512 - enough to take his maiden Superpole victory. It was Ducati Alstare’s second Superpole victory of the year and one that took place in very different condition’s to Carlos Checa’s in Phillip Island.

Ayrton

“I am really happy and it’s an incredible feeling to take Superpole today. I knew I could do a good job and although the conditions were very difficult, I was able to push hard because I had such a good feeling with the bike.

The first Superpole was very wet, but the conditions changed for the second and we we all had problems with traction and grip.  The Panigale is the best bike I’ve ever ridden in the wet and I was able to push very hard and not feel uncomfortable, even in the last five minutes when the conditions were at their most difficult. When I crossed the line on the last lap, I didn’t know if I had won Superpole or not. It was only when I got back to the Parc Fermé and saw my mechanics did I realise what I’d done. For me, today has been something special and I’m so happy to be in pole position for the races tomorrow. “