The FIM Supersport World Championship was back on track for another exciting weekend at the Pirelli Portuguese Round with lap times dropping throughout the opening 40 minutes. Taking the top spot was Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura), who looked strong throughout the opening session of the weekend. Navarro set a stunning late lap, improving on his time – setting a sensation 1’44.106.
Getting pipped for P1 in the closing stages of the session was Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), securing second with nothing separating the times at the top. Montella finished a mere 0.003s behind Navarro and finished ahead of Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), who was unable to improve in the final five minutes of Free Practice. The Italian took third place honours, with just 0.016s separating the front three riders as their attention turns to Superpole.
Manzi was ahead of compatriot Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing), who finished as the top MV Agusta rider in fourth place. Rounding out the top five was Championship leader, Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team), who finished 0.336s adrift from Navarro’s benchmark time. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) was sixth, with the Frenchman continuing his strong form at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) took seventh ahead of John McPhee (WRP by SKM-Triumph) in eighth. While the final spots inside the top 10 went the way of Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Niccolo Antonelli (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), with the #5 crashing in at Turn 5. However, Antonelli was not the only faller during Free Practice, with Gabriele Giannini (Team ProDina Kawasaki) crashing in the early stages of the session at Turn 4.
The top six from WorldSSP Free Practice, full results here:
1. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 1’44.106s
2. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.003s
3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) +0.016s
4. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +0.283s
5. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.336s
6. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +0.434s
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Source: WorldSBK.com