Lowes on front row on Friday

BOGDANKA PTR HONDA's Sam Lowes was a close second fastest in the first qualifying session for round two of the World Supersport Championship at Imola in Italy.

Mathew Scholtz on the other Bogdanka PTR Honda focused on learning the track and ended the day in 14th position, while Bogdanka Honda PTR's Pawel Szkopek was 18th with the second qualifying session tomorrow and the race on Sunday at 1:30PM CET.

Sam Lowes: "I'm really happy with today. Qualifying went very well for us. I'm feeling very good on the bike and with a small change to the front I know I can go faster tomorrow and improve; so I'm just looking forward to trying it out in the free practice in the morning and then the second qualifying in the afternoon. We're in good shape and our race pace looks good, the weather is nice, the track is great, so I just can't wait for tomorrow really."

Mathew Scholtz: "I was focusing on learning the track today and worked on the setup. It's my first time here but I've found the track a lot of fun and quite easy to ride. I'm 14th after the first day but I'd like to improve further and go faster tomorrow in second qualifying."

Pawel Szkopek: "I'm happy. We were testing tyres and setup today and I didn't push for a fast lap in the end of the qualifying. This allowed us to save a tyre for tomorrow so I'm feeling quite confident, especially as I was feeling really good on track by the end of the day. The track was very slippery in the morning and it's a lot more bumpy on corner entry compared to Phillip Island so it took some time to get used to but the weather is fine so I'm really positive."

Simon Buckmaster, Bogdanka PTR Honda Team Manager: "Sam is doing good. He had some front end chatter but is consistently fast and once we dial out the chatter he has the potential to challenge for pole. He is in good shape for the race. Mathew did a good job on his first visit to the track and is steadily getting faster and faster; he is progressing well."

First qualifying:

1. Sheridan Morais (Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'52.251

2. Sam Lowes (Bogdanka PTR Honda) Honda CBR600RR 1'52.302

3. Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products) Honda CBR600RR 1'52.582

4. Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Intermoto Step) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'52.826

5. Roberto Tamburini (Team Lorini) Honda CBR600RR 1'52.927

6. Jules Cluzel (PTR Honda) Honda CBR600RR 1'53.090

7. Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport) Yamaha YZF R6 1'53.338

8. Ronan Quarmby (PTR Honda) Honda CBR600RR 1'53.631

9. Imre Toth (Racing Team Toth) Honda CBR600RR 1'53.764

10. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Power Team by Suriano) Triumph Daytona 675 1'53.789

14. Mathew Scholtz (Bogdanka PTR Honda) Honda CBR600RR 1'54.345

18. Pawel Szkopek (Bogdanka Honda PTR) Honda CBR600RR 1'54.817