Delighted Lanzi leads Ducati one-two.
2005 winner Lanzi, taking part in his final event for the factory team, lapped three-tenths quicker than his double world championship winning team-mate during a rain-affected hour.
The Italian clinched a surprise provisional pole courtesy of a best lap time of 1min 40.962secs, with the track having been wet for half of the session following a sudden downpour.
2005 winner Lanzi, taking part in his final event for the factory team, lapped three-tenths quicker than his double world championship winning team-mate during a rain-affected hour.
The Italian clinched a surprise provisional pole courtesy of a best lap time of 1min 40.962secs, with the track having been wet for half of the session following a sudden downpour.
"Very good, I'm really happy!" smiled Lorenzo. "It wasn't an easy session, a bit wet, but in the last ten minutes the track was dry and I was setting dry weather times. It wasn't so wet that you didn't know which tyre to use and run the risk of wasting a tyre. Finally I'm back at the front again and it's a great feeling, it was a pity only because we had a lot of things to try but the work load was ruined by the bad weather.
"Basically the bike was just the same as this morning, but we've still got the whole day tomorrow to work on things. The feeling is already good, let's hope I can consolidate this position and do a good Superpole that can earn me pole position!"
Bayliss, a race winner at Magny-Cours last year, was second fastest ahead of title contender Noriyuki Haga and Kawasaki's Fonsi Nieto.
"That was good for Lorenzo and myself," said the Australian, already ruled out of the title fight but hoping to give the 999 its final WSBK race wins. "It was a strange session. I went out pretty confident to try a few things this afternoon, things that probably would have worked but got in half a lap, half-way round the back, and the rain absolutely came out of nowhere. From completely dry to completely wet in one metre and that was it!
"In the end, when the track dried out it was just a question of going out, going round and getting a bit of confidence. You couldn't really do anything special, the track is dry but the places I wanted to go weren't dry enough. We'll see what happens tomorrow," added Troy.
World championship leader James Toseland was seventh fastest in first qualifying, having been quickest of all in morning practice.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
