In the warmth of central France, the Pirelli French Round kicked off at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours for the FIM Supersport World Championship, and there was reason for home fans to be cheering. The final third of the year started in fine style for Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha), with the home-hero and home team on a mission from the get-go, half a second clear of the opposition for most of the session.
Valiant from the start, the #94 was the rider to beat on Friday morning at Magny-Cours, with a 1’41.098s being less than a second from the pole lap record, whilst Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki), fresh from his WorldSBK debut at the Aragon test, was P2 and in the end, less than a tenth off aboard his Kawasaki. Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) has his future secured to move up to WorldSBK for 2024 and he was third, whilst home star Andy Verdoia (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) was fourth. Niki Tuuli (PTR Triumph) completed the top five.
With plenty of experience at Magny-Cours and a pick-up in recent form, Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was sixth, whilst super-sub Simon Jespersen (VFT Racing) was seventh as he deputises for Nico Spinelli, who has MotoE™ World Championship duties for this weekend. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) was in eighth place, ahead of Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Evan Bros. Yamaha WorldSSP Team) and Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). Second in the Championship and with work to do, Navarro’s teammate Stefano Manzi was only 15th, one place ahead of Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) who is also third in standings. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 19th on his long-awaited return to action, one place behind fellow Turkish rider Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).
Top six after WorldSSP FP1 at Magny-Cours, full results here:
1. Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) 1’41.083s
2. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) +0.053s
3. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.498s
4. Andy Verdoia (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) +0.543s
5. Niki Tuuli (PTR Triumph) +0.651s
6. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.671s
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Source: WorldSBK.com