Seventeen year old Oscar McIntyre of Australia was killed in the 600cc Superstock race just which was held before the commencement of Superpole. The death of the young rider has shocked the WSBK paddock and led to the cancellation of Superpole. As a result, works Kawasaki Rider Tom Sykes who finished on the top of the timing sheets in FP2 starts from pole position for the race. This will be the third time that Sykes has taken pole position in WSBK.