It was a dry start for The FIM Supersport World Championship’s Superpole session at the Circuito Estoril in Portugal on Friday afternoon, however this was to be short lived as a sudden downpour in rain disrupted the World Superport action. Italian rider Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) took advantage of the dry spell during the early stages of the session, achieving a lap time of 1’41.318, three tenths ahead of Championship leader and close rival Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team), with Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) completing the front row of the grid ahead of Saturday’s Race 1.
THREE HORSE RACE: Montella v Huertas v Manzi
Frenchman Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) continued his impressive form from the mornings Free Practice session, finishing just outside of the top three, with the fourth fastest lap time of the Superpole session. Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) led #94 Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) to round off the second row, whilst Simone Corsi (Renzi Corse) posted the seventh fastest time ahead of #50 Ondrej Vostatek (PTR Triumph) in eighth and Ducati’s Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) in ninth. Italian rider Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) completed the top 10 to line up on Saturday’s Race 1 grid.
PORTUGESE POLE: #55 secures early pole before rain
The #99 current championship leader, Adrian Huertas will hope to get a strong start from second position at lights out, as he lines up alongside fellow championship rivals, Montella and Manzi who are both chasing down the Spaniard for title glory. Every point will be vital for the three riders as the penultimate race weekend beckons.
2. Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.380s
3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.607s
4. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +0.669s
5. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +1.136s
6. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +1.380s
