Shoma Yamane took a debut pole at Round 3 of the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, also becoming the first Japanese rider to achieve the feat in the class.
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s youngest riders were eager to return to the track on Friday morning after a break of almost two months since Round 2 in Assen. Spain’s Marc Vich was the quickest in Free Practice, ahead of Yamane and home favourite Alessandro di Persio. Poland’s Dawid Nowak was unable to set a lap time after crashing at the final corner on his out lap. The rider was declared fit.
In Superpole it was all change as the times dropped and the riders settled into the hot Italian track. Wildcard Gianmaria Ibidi impressed with his excellent pace, and the rider from Rimini shot to the top of the timesheets, but Yamane overhauled him in the final seconds of the session with a 1’53.515. After struggling in the morning, Spain’s Gonzalo Sanchez found his pace in Superpole and took the final place on the front row. The quick trio of Mario Salles, Eduardo Burr and Cameron Swain make up the second row.
The FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup has now seen fifteen different riders in a row take pole, and Yamane is the third new polesitter of the season.
Race 1 will start at 16:15 CET on Saturday 15th June and you can watch it live on the Yamaha Racing YouTube channel.
FULL RESULTS – R3 bLU cRU – FREE PRACTICE
FULL RESULTS – R3 bLU cRU – SUPERPOLE
Shoma Yamane reflected on his performance, and said: “Today I feel very happy, I finally have a pole position. In free practice I had speed but my feeling wasn’t perfect and I did not set the fastest time. In qualifying I found something extra and it’s great to take the first pole for myself and for Japan. The race tomorrow is very important and I will give all to achieve a victory.”
Source: WorldSBK.com