American Garrett Gerloff topped World Superbike Superpole qualifying Saturday at Magny-Cours, in France. Gerloff lapped the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) track in 1:35.453 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR, topping the field of 24 riders, earning his career-first pole position, breaking Jonathan Rea’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:35.683, and becoming the first American to take a World Superbike pole position in 12 years.
The last American to do it was John Hopkins on a Suzuki in 2011 at Silverstone.
Defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista was the best of the rest with a 1:35.512 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, and Bautista’s teammate Michael Rinaldi claimed the third and final spot on the front with a 1:35.820.
