With a new lap record, Tetsuta Nagashima takes Honda HRC to pole position at the Suzuka 8 Hours ahead of Kawasaki KRT with Rea, third Niccolò Canepa with YART-Yamaha, Gino Rea (FCC TSR Honda) taken to hospital.
Alessio Piana / Corsedimoto.com
Although it was a 40-minute qualifying session replacing the famous Top 10 Trial canceled due to the threat of rain, there was no shortage of spectacle. The 2022 edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours will see Team HRC start in pole position thanks to a Tetsuta nagashima unleashed, author of the new lap record at Suzuka in an 8-hour race weekend in 2'04″934. Honda's official test rider in MotoGP and Superbike, after an impressive 2'04"942 established yesterday, made further progress, enjoying the luxury of beating the six-time world champion Jonathan Rhea in direct comparison.
HONDA RETURN TO POLE AT THE 8 HOURS OF SUZUKA
In search of a victory that it has lacked for eight years, Honda regained pole position at the Suzuka 8 Hours. The 21st in its history in 43 editions, the first since 2009 (!), when Kosuke Akiyoshi had signed her with FCC TSR Honda. A first objective achieved for the HRC, present at “its race” with all the top management, celebrating its 40th anniversary and a pole marked by a Tetsuta nagashima
in a state of grace. Since the tests last July, it has shown itself to be extremely fast and, above all, in unison with the CBR 1000RR-R #33 missile, a total weapon to fight within 8 hours.
JONATHAN REA SECOND
Tetsuta nagashima was the only one to break the 2'05" barrier during these special "Top 10" qualifications. A reference approximated by Jonathan Rea, who after a first attempt slower than that of his teammate alex lowes (2'05″864 against 2'05″413), achieved a remarkable double time. A first in 2'05"149 with the best second sector, the next in 2'05"205, bringing the ZX-10RR #10 into second position, without feeling the blow after a fall during the previous free practice session . JR65, flanked by Alex Lowes et Leon Haslam, under the colors of the Kawasaki Racing Team, will try to repeat its 2019 triumph tomorrow, however meeting an HRC team (Tetsuta Nagashima, Takumi Takahashi and Iker Lecuona) who leaves with the favor of the forecasts.
THIRD POSITION FOR CANEPA IN QUALIFYING FOR THE SUZUKA 8 HOURS
The superlative weekend of
Niccolò Canepa was also confirmed during this session, since he was able to push to a time of 2'05″981, close to his 2'05″863 established yesterday. Later in the session, his teammate on YART Yamaha Marvin Fritz was able to improve on this (2'05"776), securing the #1 R7 third position on the grid. This is the second best Italian result ever obtained at the Suzuka 8 Hours, after the second best time of Valentino Rossi in 2001.
CONCERN FOR GINO REA
He qualified fourth in FCC TSR Honda, with Josh Hook et
Mike Di Meglio who fear after the terrifying fall of Gino Rea during the last free practice session. Taken to hospital by helicopter, there is no official news on his condition. A medical bulletin is expected during the day, while the 8 Suzuka 2022 Hours will begin tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. local time, 4:30 a.m. French time.
#Suzuka8h : Gino Rea has been taken to hospital following an accident in Free Practice 2.
He received initial treatment at the track before being transported to hospital by helicopter.
An update on the rider's condition will follow.#fimewc #Sling @HondaRacingGLB pic.twitter.com/fc8QQT2oan— TSRHondaFrance (@TSRHondaFrance) August 6
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