Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was virtually unbeatable in the FIM Supersport World Championship’s opening session of the weekend at Donington Park as he lapped more than seven tenths clear of his rivals in Free Practice. The #55 set a 1’28.907s to claim top spot and broke the all-time lap record in the process as he laid down a gauntlet ahead of the Prosecco DOC UK Round.
Montella was quick from the off as the session got underway, leading home hero Booth-Amos by an initial 0.054s. The Brit was able to briefly go fastest but Montella put in a couple of unbelievably quick laps, including breaking the all-time lap record, to claim top spot. His best time was a 1’28.907s, the only rider in the 1’28s bracket, as he finished 0.756s clear of his rivals. It had looked like Booth-Amos would take second, but a late Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) lap moved him into P2, demoting the Brit into third but it was still an impressive start to his weekend.
Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) claimed top Yamaha honours as he finished in fourth after posting a 1’29.915s, lapping just eight hundredths clear of fellow Frenchman Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) in fifth. Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) made it three consecutive Yamaha riders in the order as he finished in sixth after he set a 1’30.134s, although he was more than a second away from Montella’s time.
Turkish star Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) had a strong start to his weekend, initially running towards the top three before claiming seventh spot. The one-time winner was just two tenths away from Manzi ahead, and he was a tenth clear of Ondrej Vostatek (PTR Triumph) in eighth, with the Czech rider and Triumph enjoying a good start to the UK Round. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) was ninth after only completing eight laps, while Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) completed the top ten.
Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) lost lots of running in the early stages of FP after a technical issue on his out lap, but the #61 was able to complete 10 laps and finish in 14th. Yeray Ruiz (VFT Racing Yamaha) was taken to the medical centre following a highside when running down the Craner Curves with just under 10 minutes remaining in the session.
The top six from WorldSSP Free Practice, full results here:
1. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’28.907s
2. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.756s
3. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) +0.869s
4. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +1.008s
5. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +1.083s
6. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +1.227s
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Source: WorldSBK.com