The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship was back on track for an exhilarating Race 1 on Saturday, with Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) storming to an impressive victory. It was the Spaniard’s fourth victory in just five races, further stretching out her Championship lead to 16 points at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.

0.060s: The battle which went down to the wire

It was a stunning battle to start the racing action at the Pirelli Portuguese Round, with Herrera taking victory. It was a phenomenal end to Race 1, with just 0.060s separating the top two at the line as Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) claimed second place. The #64 had a great final lap after she was able to match the relentless pace of Herrera. Sanchez also took the fastest lap and finished ahead of Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team), who took the final spot on the podium after another solid ride.

LIGHTS OUT: Four bikes battle for the lead

The battle began at the start as Herrera and Carrasco battled for the lead on the run to Turn 1. However, it was Herrera who would lead after sweeping around the outside of Carrasco in the braking zone. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) entered the podium places early on after a poor launch from Sanchez. A four-bike group soon formed with Carrasco and Herrera going head-to-head once again.

Positions were changing at every opportunity with Neila soon entering P1 for the first time, as Carrasco was pushed back to fourth. Slipstream proved to be vital as Herrera tried to stretch a gap, with the top four remaining to look inseparable. However, as the laps ticked down the #6 continued to push, stretching out a small advantage with only Sanchez able to challenge heading onto the final lap.

LAST LAP: Herrera holds off Sanchez

Sanchez was in chase of the #6, glued onto the back wheel of Herrera throughout the final lap. The #64 looked for an opportunity, trying to get the perfect drive onto the straight for a slipstream to the line. However, Herrera was able to hold on in a thrilling finish to the opening race of the weekend.

NEILA MISSES OUT: Battles throughout the top 10

Neila missed out on a podium by just 0.009s, finishing in fourth position after a brilliant Race 1. The Spanish star will now set her sights on Race 2 after finishing ahead of Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1), who rounded out the top five. Ruiz had her own battle in Race 1, battling with Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), with the Italian taking sixth ahead of Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno). The #52 had to start from P8 on the grid in Race 1 but would claim seventh in front of Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport). Meanwhile, the final spots inside the top 10 went the way of Nicole van Aswegen (Andalaf Racing) and Astrid Madrigal (TALIKA Racing FIMLA).

There was drama throughout with Jamie Hanks-Elliot (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) crashing out of her debut WorldWCR race at Turn 15. Lena Kemmer (Bertl K. Racing Team) would also crash out with seven laps remaining before Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) lost the front at Turn 3, making contact with Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) and bringing an early end to their race with four laps to go.

The top six from WorldWCR Race 1, full results here:

1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team)

2. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +0.060s

3. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) +2.253s

4. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +2.262s

5. Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) +26.707s

6. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) +26.919s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Saturday’s MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off with a dramatic Free Practice 3 session which was topped by Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team). The #9 topped FP2 on Friday at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and continued that on Saturday with P1 in the final practice session for the Pirelli Portuguese Round, finishing more than two tenths clear of his rivals ahead of this afternoon’s Tissot Superpole session.

Petrucci sat out the first half of the session but was quick out of the blocks when he did hit the track, setting a fastest lap of 1’40.316s, using the SCX tyre, to claim P1 in FP3, making it two out of three Free Practice sessions he’s topped at Portimao. He was 0.254s clear of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in second, who continued his strong form, as did Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) with the #1 claiming third place. He was just 0.006s behind Lowes.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) could only manage P4 on his BMW M 1000 RR as he set a 1’40.581s. He was just 0.005s away from Bautista ahead and had a two-tenth margin to teammate Michael van der Mark directly behind, with two BMWs inside the top six. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) was another who was strong in FP3, claiming sixth place and lapping just 0.455s away from Petrucci.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who has been feeling under the weather this weekend, was seventh with a 1’40.896s, finishing ahead of six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) in eighth. Ninth place belonged to Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) with Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) using his final lap to move inside the top ten.

The top six from WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’40.316s

2. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.254s

3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.260s

4. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.265s

5. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.449s

6. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +0.455s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was instantly on the pace at the Pirelli Portuguese Round, with the #54 finishing third in the combined standings at the end of Friday. However, it was not smooth sailing for the 2021 WorldSBK Champion, as he suffered a technical issue during the final 10 minutes of Free Practice 2, with smoke coming out of his BMW – finishing the day 0.102s adrift from the top spot.

Razgatlioglu started the weekend strong, topping Free Practice 1 and setting a strong early 1’40.777 benchmark. The Turkish rider was 0.391s clear of the field and Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), capping off a strong start for the German manufacturer.  While Razgatlioglu completed 16 laps in FP1, before setting a further 15 laps in FP2 as technical issues stopped Razgatlioglu from improving further – finishing Friday behind Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).

Discussing the technical issue and looking towards Saturday, Razgatlioglu said: “FP2, I felt a technical problem and after I came to box. But after it was not possible for me to ride the bike in the final 10 minutes. In general, the feeling was not bad but before the technical problem, I also ran the used tyre and I was very happy, the bike was working well with the used tyre. This is good, it is a positive for me because I had a good pace with the used tyre, I did a 40.9 with the 18 lap tyre – this is really good for the hot conditions. After three/four laps I felt the problem and after I understood it was a technical problem and I came back to the box very slowly. We will see tomorrow, the first day is done but I am very happy now because not every session, not every race weekend we are the winner. Now we are starting a little different and for me this is positive.”

It was strong pace throughout the day from Razgatlioglu, setting consistent times inside the 1’41 bracket before dipping into the 1’40 bracket to claim P3 at the end of the opening day. ‘El Turco’ will aim to convert this pace into race wins this weekend and if the #54 took victory on Saturday he would equal the all-time winning streak of 11 wins a row, currently held by Bautista and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) – with a chance to set a new record on Sunday.

Razgatlioglu spoke about his mindset on matching the all-time winning streak: “I am thinking, but I am focused on 12 race wins not 11, but tomorrow is the first race, I will try and do my best again like before and I hope I win. Then Sunday also in the Superpole Race if I win, then we will win 12 races but we will see in tomorrow’s race because everyone is strong and very fast so I will try and do my best tomorrow.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) remained positive on Friday after claiming second place in the combined classification at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve despite a Turn 11 tumble in Free Practice 2 for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. After declaring he and the team had found ‘something’ at Most to regain the feeling he had last year, the #1 stated after Friday’s action for the Pirelli Portuguese Round that what they found was working in Portugal too.

Despite the positive feelings coming from Bautista after Friday’s action, he did lose some running in the evening Free Practice 2 session following a crash at Turn 11. Speaking after the track action concluded, the double Champion explained what happened and how he was feeling after his tumble, which was after he lost the front of his Panigale V4 R and fell into the gravel to end his session prematurely.

Explaining the crash and his Friday, Bautista said: “Physically, I’m okay. Just a bit of a bruise but nothing bad. It was because, especially after mid-practice, the wind started to be stronger. In that corner, it pushed me a lot and I arrived there a bit faster than the lap before. I tried to brake at the same point and lost the front. Better to crash on Friday, searching the limits, than the next day. In general, I’m quite happy. This morning, I felt very similar to Most with the bike and that means similar to last year as well. We tried some different gearing for the wind but, in the afternoon, we didn’t find any improvements. We went back in the middle of practice to our gearing from the morning. We also compared the tyres, front and rear, and definitely the front I like more the SC1. I used the SC2 in the morning, but the feeling was not, even with this high temperature, as I expected. The SC1, at the moment, will be good choice for me. At the rear, we compared the standard SC0 to the new one. There’s not a big difference, but maybe the new one has more positive points compared to the standard one. It’s not 100% clear but it’s more in the direction of the new SC0 tyre.”

In terms of Bautista’s pace, the #1 was rapid throughout the day. He set a 1’41.299s in FP1 to claim third place – behind Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) – while he improved his time by half-a-second to claim second in FP2. This time, he was behind fellow Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) after the #9 set a 1’40.681s. Bautista was just 0.023s behind his stablemate. However, the Spaniard was keen to point out how his feeling with the bike was the same here as it was in Most, believing that what the team found was working.

On this, Bautista explained: “It’s the first time this season that I arrive at the next circuit and have the same feeling. That’s because we found something in the bike that helped me recover the feeling like last year. It worked there but it also worked here. I’m really happy for that because it means it will be our base for every track. We’ll need to adapt the bike for every track for the demands of the corners but the base setup, I think we’ve found out. It’s just about the setup about the bike.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship roars back into life for the iconic Pirelli Portuguese Round with an all-new evening schedule. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) had a very successful start to the weekend at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, topping the timesheets in Free Practice 2. The Italian found a good feeling from the start of the day and admitted that he was “surprised” with how Friday went.

The #9 showed strong pace throughout the day, posting a 1’41.307 in Free Practice 1, finishing the session in fourth – 0.391s adrift from Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) at the top. However, as conditions improved in FP2, so would Petrucci’s lap time, with the Italian soon setting a magnificent 1’40.681 to finish the day P1 in the combined standings. However, it was tight at the top with a mere 0.023s separating Petrucci and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in second, with less than one second separating the top 18.

Discussing the Portimao circuit and a strong day, Petrucci said: “I am quite surprised because last year I struggled a bit on this track but in the end, it has always been a track that I like. Since this morning, I have felt quite good on the bike, I was able to push and find a good feeling. We did a few setup changes in the afternoon and we tried the new rear tyre. I felt immediately quite good and I used all the sections of this tyre, it is quite consistent and quite grippy so I like it. I have a good feeling and I didn’t expect to be first, especially because I used the same tyre all the session. I am surprised but at the same time happy and tired as my right arm is still recovering, but I am hoping this result gives me happiness and strength for tomorrow.”

Petrucci completed 17 laps in FP1 and 18 laps in FP2, with the Italian admitting to having made some setup changes for FP2. During the FP2 session, the #9 was consistently lapping within the high 1’40/low 1’41 bracket and is building to be a contender this weekend. However, for the Pirelli Portuguese Round, there is an all-new schedule with Free Practice 2 taking place at 18:00 Local Time (UTC +1) and with Petrucci admitting that this change could suit him.

Speaking about the brand new schedule, the #9 said: “Yeah, I would like to try this schedule for some other races especially because I hate the heat of the sun, I sweat so much and it has always been a problem for me in the hot races, especially because I really don’t like to wake up early in the morning so for me this schedule is perfect.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) set the fastest MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship time on Friday at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as he set a 1’40.681s on a dramatic day of action during the Pirelli Portuguese Round. ‘Petrux’ was just 0.023s clear of his rivals as Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) finished in second despite a crash and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed third after a late FP2 technical issue.

PETRUCCI ON TOP, BAUTISTA CRASHES: a mixed day for Ducati

Petrucci was quick all Friday, taking fourth in Free Practice 1 and topping Free Practice 2 with a 1’40.681s to claim top spot, 0.023s ahead of reigning Champion in second; Bautista’s afternoon running was disrupted by a Turn 11 crash with just a few minutes remaining. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) bounced back from very limited running in FP1 to take fourth overall. Ducati opted to change the #11’s engine after his FP1 issues. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) had a strong day as he claimed tenth, while Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and wildcard Hafizh Syahrin (JDT Racing Team) the final two of the Ducati riders in 15^th and 21^st respectively.

RAZGATLIOGLU WITH TWO TECH ISSUES AS HE CLAIMS P3: an up and down day at the rollercoaster

Razgatlioglu had looked like he would top both FP1 and FP2 but a technical issue with around 10 minutes to go cost him valuable track time, and Petrucci and Bautista were able to demote the #54 into third place. However, he did have the pace to claim P1 in FP1. His fastest time came in Free Practice 1 with a 1’40.777s, although his FP2 effort was just 0.006s slower as he set a 1’40.783s; ‘El Turco’ was one of two riders not to improve in the later session. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) lost some running in FP1 after a Turn 13 crash, but he claimed seventh overall on Friday, with Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) claiming eighth overall and second in FP2; the #31 had a tech issue in FP2. Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) was the only BMW rider outside of the top ten.

VIERGE PIPS LECUONA BY 0.007s: little to separate the HRC duo

Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) were closely matched on Friday, with Vierge leading his teammate by just 0.007s. The #97 posted a 1’41.112s to claim 11^th place with the #7 directly behind. At the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda team, Ivo Lopes was the lead rider on his return to WorldSBK action, and on his first day in MIE Honda colours, with Adam Norrodin four tenths back as he rounded out the field.

AEGERTER P5, REA P6: two Yamahas in the top six

Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) had a strong showing on Friday as he claimed top Yamaha honours in fifth place, finishing a tenth ahead of six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) in sixth. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) crashed at Turn 5 during FP2 which cost him some track time, but he did return to the track and finished in 17^th place, leading Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) by two tenths. Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) was 19^th with Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha) in 20^th.

LOWES ON TOP FOR THE GREEN TEAM: the #22 inside the top ten

As has been the case for the majority of this season, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) led Kawasaki’s charge, finishing third in FP2 with a 1’41.073s, giving him ninth overall. Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was quick out of the blocks in the evening Free Practice 2 outing to run in 14^th in the combined classification. In terms of Independent riders, Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was inside the top 20 as he finished in 16^th after posting a 1’41.424s.

The top six from Friday’s WorldSBK action, full results here:

1. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’40.681s

2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.023s

3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.102s

4. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.130s

5. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.140s

6. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.255s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship track action started at the Pirelli Portuguese Round, we took the time to catch up with several key personnel from the paddock to discuss a range of topics. From 2025 rider line-up updates to how the weekend has started, there was plenty to talk about at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and we’ve gathered the best quotes for you.

Serafino Foti (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team Manager): “I think, before the end of August, we will finalise everything”

“To be honest, this morning he had a problem with the bike but anyway today is not the best day for him because he is a little bit sick, I think tomorrow will be better because we are preparing him really well and also tonight. It’s not a good day but anyway, we will try and improve tomorrow. Alvaro this morning was not so bad and now we will try to find the best setup for him to put the weight in the right way. To be honest it is not confirmed yet but as I said in the past, Alvaro is our priority, and we will try to do our best to continue with him. I think, before the end, of August we will finalise everything, but our goal is to try and keep him also for next year.”

Manuel Puccetti (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, Team Manager): “Very happy about this news… 99% we will ride with one bike”

Discussing Gerloff’s arrival and the team’s 2025 plans, Puccetti said during FP1: “We are very happy about this news, we have worked 20 years with Kawasaki and now the time has arrived to represent this manufacturer in the two main classes in the World Championship. Data we have had already, all this season as this year we ride with a complete factory bike and we have had all the data from Kawasaki, all the data every weekend to try and improve ourselves. Next year we will be alone but we will try and do it ourselves. We will discuss this with Kawasaki this weekend. At the moment, one is fixed, 99% of it will only be one bike but this weekend with the top Japanese management from within Kawasaki Europe we will discuss the possibility of a second bike or not. Who knows, we will see, we will see. 99% we will ride with one bike, but we will see.”

Andrea Dosoli (Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Manager): “The wish is to go ahead with both GRT riders”

Discussing Yamaha’s potential and the line-up for the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team for next year, Dosoli stated: “It is not a bad start, the first feedback from the guys is quite positive and they have a good starting setup and are comfortable on the bike. The gap is actually quite close so we are looking to have a good race. The wish is to go ahead with both riders. Of course, Dominique has been struggling so it has not been easy for him or a smooth season until now. He has been struggling in the winter tests and has had a few DNFs and we will see how we could improve the performance as we believe that he is capable of doing better than what he has shown until now. He is not a concern; the reality is that Dominique is struggling and we need to help him to come back to the performance that he showed last year.”

Michael Galinski (Bonovo Action BMW Team Manager): “It is only sure we run a Ducati… we have four riders that want to ride for us”

Providing an update on the team structure that wishes to remain in WorldSBK and speaking about Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) starting the weekend strongly, Galinski said in FP1: “He likes the track, last year it was also nearly our best race here. I think for him it is clear what he will do next year, and it is also important in his head to know what he will do next year. I am happy he is now on the normal level; we have struggled a lot this year from the beginning but now he is more and more comfortable, and I am happy for him. Absolutely, he was brought to Kawasaki but at the moment for us, it is only sure that we run a Ducati now, that is clear, but we will know it latest to the next race. That is what I told you, we will know it for sure in front of the next race. The 20th of August we have the meeting, and then we will make the decision. We have four riders that want to ride for us, so we will make the decision this month.”

Marc Bongers (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director): “The season started much better than what we would’ve hoped for”

Discussing a potential record-breaking weekend for Razgatlioglu, Bongers said: “This is the first place where we had him on the bike properly and at the end of the test, he was very confident already if we would go racing here. The season started much better than what we would have hoped for, it’s nice to be back here at a track which seems to be quite good for us. FP1 started well, unfortunately, a slip off from Micky, but Garrett was P2, and Toprak was P1, I am happy to see this. Our bike is not sensitive anymore to different tracks, so the potential of the bike is the same potential in my opinion as we say in the last races – able to be winning. I would have asked what you had taken probably, but for sure not and it is clear it’s his personal goal and for sure it’s our general goal to win again. But I don’t think we are as dominant here as what we were in the last races but for sure we are in a position to fight for a win. Yes clearly, I hope we have better stuff to fight for than what Toprak had last year on the straight.”

Guim Roda (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK Team Manager: “There’s a lot to do and a lot of work… the fans will enjoy next year”

Looking ahead to helping Kawasaki Puccetti Racing in 2025, Roda said: “Basically, we need to prepare everything to supply Manuel, so we are working with Kawasaki on how we can organise everything to share all the experience and information to make sure he can be competitive with Gerloff. It is another job we need to do for next year, but we are very happy to be a part of it and are sure we can prepare a good package for Gerloff and Manuel. There’s a lot to do and a lot of work, but we cannot explain much right now, but I think the fans and the world in general will enjoy next year.”

Jose Escamez (Team HRC Team Manager): “We are a bit surprised about it… Lecuona is getting some momentum”

On Honda’s strong start to the Portuguese Round, Escamez stated: “Lecuona is getting some momentum from the last few races at Most where he gained more confidence and tried to work on the direction that we set a few races ago. He is trying just to get the maximum from that momentum and it looks like it is getting better step by step. Also, the development tyre that we got here from Pirelli is getting better for our bike and the conditions we are facing right now so yeah so far so good. It’s something which we didn’t expect at all because normally in these conditions we used to struggle much more than normal weather conditions. It’s true that right now it is not that bad at all because the temperature has dropped down a little bit and with these mild winds it is not bad. We are a bit surprised about it and I think the tyres are helping, so we are going to take the max from this.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport World Championship delivered further drama at the Pirelli Portuguese Round as the riders hit the track for an unpredictable Superpole session. Lap times tumbled throughout as Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) stormed to claim pole position after a thrilling session at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. The Spaniard set a magnificent 1’43.352 to finish Superpole 0.240s clear of his rivals.

DRAMA EARLY ON: Oncu leads as session red-flagged

Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was quickest in the early of the session, setting a 1’44.825 before there was drama for Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), with the #54 losing the front and crashing at Turn 9. This incident brought out the red flag in the first five minutes of the session. Following the crash, Sofuoglu was transferred to the hospital and declared unfit due to concussion.

GREEN FLAG: Times drop as Huertas takes pole

Once the session resumed, Huertas took the top stop briefly and would later improve – setting a strong 1’43.858. That time was soon beating as the top spot continued to change hands, with the fight for pole position entering the final 10 minutes. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Huertas battled for pole with the #99 reigning supreme as the clock hit zero, leaving Montella to settle for second position. Behind the front two and rounding off the front row was Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), who continued to look strong at Portimao.

SECOND ROW: Navarro starts from P5

It was a tight second row of the grid as Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) took the fourth spot at the end of Friday – heading the second row of the grid. The #64 was 0.065s adrift from the front row, continuing to show a strong pace, finishing ahead of Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura), who after topping Free Practice could only manage fifth. Behind the Spaniard was Oncu, who further improved on his time late in Superpole to round off the second row in sixth position.

BEST OF THE REST: Tuuli rounds out the top 10

Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) will head the third row of the grid after a strong Superpole from the #94 in seventh. The Frenchman will start alongside compatriot Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team), who took eighth ahead of Marcel Schrotter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team), who took the final spots inside the top 10.

Further back, it would be a dramatic session for Niccolo Antonelli (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), with the Italian suffering a crash at Turn 13, ending Superpole down in 12^th behind Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing).

The top six from WorldSSP Superpole, full results here:

1. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 1’43.352s

2. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.240s

3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.739s

4. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +0.804s

5. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.831s

6. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +1.013s

Make sure you tune in for WorldSSP Race 1 on Saturday at 16:30 Local Time (UTC +1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 50% off!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) has seemingly made pole position a habit of late after claiming P1 in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship’s Tissot Superpole session. The #7 was over half-a-second clear of teammate Mirko Gennai in second at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as he repeated his Most success in Superpole. The front row for Race 1 at the Pirelli Portuguese Round will be completed by Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing).

A DRAMATIC OPENING: Buis fastest but crashes, red flags shown

Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing) went fastest in the first five minutes as he set a 1’56.712s before he crashed at Turn 5. The red flags were briefly brought out with just under 20 minutes remaining following an incident on the start-finish straight involving Ruben Bijman (Team Flembbo-PL Performances) and Dinis Borges (Speed Master Racing Team) to allow their bikes to be recovered. Borges was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the crash.

DOUBLING UP: Veneman makes it two in a row

When the session resumed, Veneman stormed to the top of the timesheets by setting a 1’55.745s, lapping 0.171s clear of teammate Gennai as they provisionally lined up in an MTM Kawasaki 1-2, before Veneman improved again to a 1’55.550s and increased his gap over Gennai. To tighten his grip on pole, the #7 went even faster – with a 1’55.399s – inside the final five minutes to claim his second pole, and his second in two rounds. He’ll be joined on the front row by teammate Gennai, with Indonesia’s Pratama completing the front row with third; he was 0.563s back from Veneman.

HAS VANNUCCI’S LUCK TURNED? P5 for the Italian

Pratama’s brother, Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse), claimed fourth place as he lapped around a tenth slower than his sibling. Matteo Vannucci (Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia) will be hoping his luck changes after a difficult start to the year and he claimed fifth in Superpole. 0.011s slower than Mahendra, while Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) rounded out the top six with a 1’56.139s.

IGLESIAS TAKES THIRD ROW AFTER CRASH: bouncing back at the end of Superpole

Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) crashed at Turn 5 after the session restarted but his team were able to get him back out on track in the final moments to secure a third row start with P7. Teammate Carter Thompson, who was so impressive in his debut at Most, will line up alongside the #58 from eighth, with David Salvador and Unai Calatayud (ARCO SASH MotoR University Team) rounding out the top ten.

HOUSEKEEPING: Buis on the sixth row…

Buis was able to get back out on track after his crash but he could only manage P18, directly ahead of teammate Phillip Tonn. Giacomo Zannini (Team ProDina Kawasaki) was 29^th after he came down late on in the 25-minute session at Turn 13. Borges was 32^nd after his incident, while Bjman returned to the track to claim 28^th.

The top six from WorldSSP300 Superpole, full results here:

1. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) 1’55.399s

2. Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki) +0.517s

3. Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) +0.563s

4. Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse) +0.673s

5. Matteo Vannucci (Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia) +0.684s

6. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) +0.740s

Don’t miss any action from Saturday’s WorldSSP300 Race 1 at 15:30 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – NOW HALF PRICE!

Source: WorldSBK.com