2015 Phillip Island World Superbike Superpole Results: Red Flags Abound

With no Evo class for 2015, an easily predicted division between Superpoles one and two isn't as clear-cut as it was last year. The weather was warm and clear and the track was hot, but red flags affected both sessions.

Superpole one opened with Leandro Mercado setting a pace lap of 1'32.062 on the Ducati Panigale. Mat Walters brought out a yellow flag on turn one with a high-speed crash, losing the front and sliding into the fields at over 100mph. He walked away from the crash. A red flag was brought out to clear up the debris from his crash, with five and a half minutes remaining.

With enough time left to only get one lap on a qualifying tyre, and the track only letting the tyres last for one fast lap, it was clear that the fastest time would fall. Matteo Baiocco recorded a 1'31.639 as the first qualifying time and with that ensured he would be promoted to Superpole two. Mercado managed to hold off a late charge from Randy de Puniet and take the second promotion spot.

Leon Haslam was the first out of pit lane but his fast lap was beaten by Jonathan Rea with a 1'31.212 and Chaz Davies. David Salom was the first rider out on a qualifier, having not gone out in the first half, but he crashed on a fast lap, bringing out the red flags. His crash on the last corner sent him tumbling head over heels, impacting the gravel with his helmet a few times and he was carried off on a stretcher fairly quickly.

Chaz Davies squeaked in a 1'30.800 as the flags came out, but he had the lap deleted as the flags had come out before his lap was completed. As time marched on, with 3'52 remaining on the clock, the remainder of the session was cancelled.

As nobody put in a lap with a qualifying tyre, Rea's fastest time was unbeaten and he starts in pole position in his first race with Kawasaki. Chaz Davies and Leon Haslam complete the front row.

David Salom was reported as being concious and was transported to the Medical Centre.

Results: