Davies tops Assen timesheets

17 April 2015 03:32

Welshman Chaz Davies produced a wonderful final lap to lead after the opening two practice sessions of the World Superbike Championship's fourth round in Assen.

Davies, presently third in the overall standings, responded to the challenge of former champion Tom Sykes and current championship leader Jonathan Rea to surge through and top classification by the margin of 0.320 seconds.

The Ducati of Davies was 0.983 seconds down on Sykes on Friday morning but the 28-year-old from Knighton took top spot as showers gave way to sunshine for the second 45-minute practice session on the Dutch circuit.

Rea was just 0.122 seconds behind Kawasaki team-mate Sykes in third spot, while Leon Haslam improved the setting on his Aprilia Racing machine between sessions to move into contention.

Haslam, a former championship runner-up, rose into fourth with Pata Honda's Michael van der Mark, of Holland, the top non-British rider in fifth.

Jordi Torres improved on the second of the Aprilia bikes to finish sixth, with the biggest climb of the day coming from the Suzuki of Alex Lowes, who jumped from a first practice position of 16th to seventh.

Reigning champion Sylvain Guintoli finished eighth and Xavi Fores ninth with Leon Camier completing the top 10 by giving MV Agusta their best Friday placing since returning to the World Superbike Championship last year.

Source: PA