Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes secured a 12th career Superpole win on Saturday at Aragon. Image: World Superbike Press Office.

Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes rode to a comfortable 12th career Superpole victory in clear conditions at Aragon on Saturday, edging out World Superbike points leader Eugene Laverty by three-tenths of a second.

The Brit advanced through the initial elimination stages and saved both qualifying tyres for the third and final session, a move that would prove a master stroke.

BMW Motorrad GoldBet rider Chaz Davies banked on the same strategy but ran wide on his final attempt and missed the chance to challenge Sykes. He finished third behind the Aprilia of Laverty, with Sylvain Guintoli rounding out the top four.

Back to full health for the second round, Sykes said the team had made solid ground throughout practice and qualifying.

“It has been nice to ride without any injuries this weekend as well after my fall in testing at Phillip Island,” he said.

“The most important thing to get today was a start on the front row and it was also good to get my first Tissot-Superpole win of the year for my Spanish-based team.”

Third on the grid is still a significant achievement for fellow Brit Davies – it marks his maiden front row start in the category.

“It was a good step forward, it is my first front row in World Superbike. Qualifying has always been the weakest part of my weekend,” Davies explained.

“I think people underestimate what it takes to learn a superbike and the difference it makes when you come back to a circuit after having the experience of racing here last year.

“The race pace, as we have seen in free practice, is not too bad although I think we can improve a little bit also by using that data for tomorrow’s work.”

The second row will be headed by Superbike debutant Jules Cluzel, who is followed by Loris Baz, Marco Melandri and Davide Giugliano.

Australian Mark Aitchison rode solidly in qualifying to secure 19th place on the grid on the Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati.

Mahi Racing Team India’s Kenan Sofuoglu will start on World Supersport pole position after displacing Sam Lowes late in the piece.

Sofuoglu’s teammate Fabien Foret set the third-fastest time, with Sheridan Morais to round out the front row aboard his Honda.

A turn three crash cut short the run of impressive rookie Michael van der Mark who will start from sixth.

Team Honda PTR’s Aussie charge Matt Davies locked down grid position 25 for his races, with Triumph’s Mitchell Carr to start from 31st on the grid.

Mitchell Pirotta made significant improvements to his lap time between the two Superstock 1000 qualifying sessions but could move no higher than 26th place.

The opening European race of the Superstock 600 class was run and won, with MTM Racing’s Gauthier Duwelz riding his Yamaha to victory.

It was a strong showing for Australian riders Adrian Nestorovic and Mike Jones, with Nestorovic qualifying and finishing the race fifth, and Jones moving three places forward from a qualifying place of 18th to finish 15th and in a points-paying position.

Fellow Aussie Zac Levy showed exceptional pace in qualifying to set the seventh-fastest time in the one-make European Junior Cup category.

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