Just five minutes into the first free practice at the Imola circuit, Yamaha’s Tom Sykes crashed out and the session has been red flagged. According to sources at the circuit, Sykes sustained only a contusion to his right foot, while the rest of the riders are complaining of an extremely slippery surface and are having trouble staying upright.

All track activity has been suspended as Claude Denis the FIM Safety Official, the Imola track owners and the Race Direction are deciding how to resolve the problem.

More news as we get it.

UPDATE:

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, the total lack of grip is due to an aggressive washing after last week’s WTCC round, that removed all the laid down rubber from the surface. Ducati’s Davide Tardozzi has said that the only viable solution is to re-rubber the track, because if they try to-rewash the surface, the same situation will present itself tomorrow.

FURTHER UPDATE:

Latest news has it that Superbike practice will resume at 16:30 CET. The Race Direction has got the cannon fodder, excuse me, the SuperSport riders out on track now, Superbike riders will hit the track at 17:45.

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