Phillip Island WSBK: Sykes on pole for season opener
Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes has secured the first World Superbike pole of the season in a close qualifying shootout at Phillip Island.
The Briton set the benchmark time with his final attempt of the session, dethroning early leader Davide Giugliano and setting the new Phillip Island lap record in the category.
Ducati rider Giugliano fell short of Sykes by 0.078s and will line up second on the grid, with reigning champion Jonathan Rea a tenth and a half down, putting a second Kawasaki on the front row.
Yamaha duo of Sylvain Guintoli and Superpole 1 pace-setter Alex Lowes took fourth and fifth respectively, followed by the two Hondas of Michael van der Mark and newcomer Nicky Hayden.
Another WSBK rookie Lorenzo Savadori ended up eighth for Ioda, with 2015 runner-up Chaz Davies settling for ninth.
The top 12 was completed by Leon Camier, Markus Reiterberger and Jordi Torres.
Among those going out in SP1 were 2015 British Superbikes champion Josh Brookes (14th) and MotoGP converts Karel Abraham (16th) and Alex de Angelis (18th).
Qualifying results
| Pos. | Rider | Team | Bike | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tom Sykes |
Kawasaki Racing | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 1:30.020 |
| 2 |  Davide Giugliano |
Ducati Team | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | 1:30.098 |
| 3 | Jonathan Rea |
Kawasaki Racing | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 1:30.170 |
| 4 |  Sylvain Guintoli |
Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1:30.281 |
| 5 | Alex Lowes |
Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1:30.354 |
| 6 |  Michael van der Mark |
Honda World Superbike Team | Honda CBR1000RR SP | 1:30.468 |
| 7 |  Nicky Hayden |
Honda World Superbike Team | Honda CBR1000RR SP | 1:30.479 |
| 8 | Lorenzo Savadori |
IodaRacing Team | Aprilia RSV4 RF | 1:30.609 |
| 9 | Chaz Davies |
Ducati Team | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | 1:30.717 |
| 10 | Leon Camier |
MV Agusta | MV Agusta 1000 F4 | 1:30.795 |
| 11 |  Markus Reiterberger |
Althea BMW Racing Team | BMW S1000 RR | 1:31.031 |
| 12 |  Jordi Torres |
Althea BMW Racing Team | BMW S1000 RR | 1:31.207 |
| 13 | Javier Fores |
Barni Racing Team | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | 1:31.871 |
| 14 |  Joshua Brookes |
Milwaukee BMW | BMW S1000 RR | 1:31.927 |
| 15 | Sylvain Barrier |
Pedercini Racing | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 1:32.077 |
| 16 |  Karel Abraham |
Milwaukee BMW | BMW S1000 RR | 1:32.117 |
| 17 | Roman Ramos |
Team Go Eleven | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 1:32.194 |
| 18 |  Alex de Angelis |
IodaRacing Team | Aprilia RSV4 RF | 1:33.507 |
| 19 |  Dominic Schmitter |
Grillini Racing Team | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 1:33.664 |
| 20 |  Saeed Al Sulaiti |
Pedercini Racing | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 1:33.690 |
| 21 | Mike Jones |
Desmo Sport Ducati | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | 1:33.722 |
| 22 |  Peter Sebestyen |
Team Toth | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1:34.346 |
| 23 | Imre Toth |
Team Toth | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1:36.272 |
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