Italian Lorenzo Lanzi caused a major sensation in World Superbike this afternoon as he stormed to pole position on the Xerox-backed Ducati 999F05. 23-year-old Lanzi, who was called in this week by Ducati Corse from Scuderia Caracchi to sub for the injured Régis Laconi, has been in terrific form ever since he sat on the bike for the first time on Friday morning. Lanzi’s time of 1m39.019s was the quickest lap ever recorded around the 4.265 km Eurospeedway Lausitz circuit and his pole position was the first by an Italian in factory Ducati colours since Pierfrancesco Chili at Assen in 1998.

“To be honest I really didn’t expect to set pole, but seeing as how well I began the weekend on Friday, I was really hoping to be able to do it. After all that’s what I’m here for and today I demonstrated that I can stay with the best of them” declared Lorenzo. “Getting on a new bike, one of the best in the world championship and immediately setting pole position with the riders that there are around today is not an easy task, but I succeeded, and in particular it gives me great pleasure to beat Corser, who is a real Superpole specialist. Today I couldn’t ask for more and I am so happy! This morning I crashed but it helped me to find the limits of this bike, I only slid off and it wasn’t serious. I’ve got a fantastic feeling with this bike, hopefully tomorrow I’ll get a good start and then we’ll see in the races!”

James Toseland was not far behind on the #1 Ducati 999 and the British rider lines up on the outside of the front row for tomorrow’s races, alongside Lanzi and the other two front row men, Troy Corser (Suzuki) and Chris Vermeulen (Honda). “I’m happy to be on the front row, it’s been a bit difficult this weekend. Friday morning was good but then we hit a bit of a brick wall and we just need to take that one little step further” commented James. “I had a tumble this morning and bruised my arm but it was only a slow crash and I’m all right. We’re going to try something tomorrow morning but I’m quietly confident for the races. We’re just losing a bit of time in one section but it’s mainly me really and we need to sort it out. I need to be on the front row here, it’s very important to get a good start and stay with these boys and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. But big congratulations to the other guy in the Ducati Xerox Team, Lorenzo Lanzi, who really deserved it today, first time in the team and first pole position!”

STARTING-GRID: 1. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m39.019s; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 1m39.092s; 3. Vermeulen (Honda) 1m39.275s; 4. Toseland (Ducati Xerox) 1m39.665s; 5. Pitt (Yamaha) 1m39.899s; 6. Muggeridge (Honda) 1m39.924s; 7. Haga (Yamaha) 1m40.109s; 8. Neukirchner (Honda) 1m40.187s; 9. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m40.191s; 10. Martin (Petronas) 1m40.282s; etc.

TV COVERAGE: Eurosport (Europe) – Sunday 11 September, 1200 Race 1 (live), 1730 Race 2 (delayed). British Eurosport (UK) – Sunday 11 September 1000 Race 1 + 2 (live). La7 (Italy) – Sunday 11 September, 1625 Race 1 (delayed), 1750 Race 2 (delayed).