Indonesia’s Aldi Satya Mahendra gave it his best shot on Friday at Magny-Cours by taking an important pole position ahead of the R3 bLU cRU European Championship’s season-closing races on Saturday at the French track.

The sizzling September temperatures provided perfect conditions for the morning’s FP1 session, where the field of regulars were joined by four eager wildcards, making for a total of 22 riders. The title favourites initially took their time to get up to speed, preferring to focus on setup, but Brazil’s Gustavo Manso soon rose through the ranks to clock the fastest time of the morning. Mahendra was just +0.007s behind his rival, while local hero Dorian Joulin placed third. Series leader Emiliano Ercolani put in the seventh fastest time, +1.367 from the top.

For the afternoon’s Superpole session, Mahendra was fast from the outset and laid down several fast laps which his competitors simply couldn’t match, giving the Indonesian pole for the final two races of the season. Kevin Fontainha was the only rider who came close, setting a time +0.732s down on Mahendra and grabbing a vital second on the grid as he fights for a shot at the title. His compatriot, Manso, completes the front row of the grid. Ercolani will set off from ninth spot and will aim to carve into the lead group to defend his slim standings lead of 16 points.

Full Superpole results can be found here

Aldi Satya Mahendra said: “I want to keep my mind clear and focus on the races, without thinking too much about the championship. I know that I need to try and win both races, so I hope tomorrow will go well, but I’m not putting too much stress into the goal of the crown.”

Source: WorldSBK.com

The ninth round of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returned to action at Magny-Cours in France and one rider was in mighty form. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) was P2 in both sessions and took P3 overall, as he cemented himself as the top BMW rider on the opening day. The Texan, who has always shown strength at Magny-Cours, even if results haven’t always reflected that, will look to convert it further on Saturday and Sunday as he chases his first top five of the season.

The American rider and his Bonovo Action BMW team looked good throughout the day, in the morning in the cooler temperatures, despite the #31 saying he struggled to feel good on the bike, using a second tyre to elevate himself up the order. In the much warmer afternoon session, when the track was at 52 degrees Celsius, it seemed that he had genuine pace to be where his position indicated and hopes for a good Superpole on Saturday.

Talking about his Friday pace and potential, Gerloff stated: “I’m definitely happy to be in P2 in both sessions but I struggled this morning to feel good. We went to the Aragon test and everything felt good but then we came here and I don’t know what happened. I was just struggling and even though I had a good time, I just didn’t feel good. Then, I was really happy with all the changes we made from FP1 to FP2; bang, the bike felt good immediately and I could just ride. I think in the morning, I was one of a few riders who used two tyres so that helped in the end, as in the beginning I was in P10.”

With eyes on reclaiming top BMW honours in WorldSBK, Gerloff sits 14^th in the Championship but has enjoyed nine top ten finishes in his debut campaign with the German manufacturer and team. A best result of seventh has been reached in the Superpole Races at both Barcelona-Catalunya and Donington Park, with him sitting on 68 points so far. The best BMW rider right now in the standings is Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) with 99 and he’s 11^th overall.

Continuing to forecast the weekend’s on-track action, Gerloff – who has a best result at Magny-Cours of fifth from 2022’s Race 1 – said that a strong Tissot Superpole effort will be crucial: “I’m confident and feeling good, as is the team and I think it could be a good weekend. I’ve had good sessions this year but I want to have a good Superpole and a solid race from that. Let’s see how it goes. The tyre selection is mostly clear for the moment but you never know.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Valentin Debise’s (GMT94 Yamaha) form in Free Practice 1 was enough for him to be fastest on Friday for the FIM Supersport World Championship as he cemented his place at the top of the timesheets at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. At his home Pirelli French Round, the experienced Frenchman will be hoping he can secure a maiden WorldSSP podium although he finished behind Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) in Free Practice 2.

SCORCHING CONDITIONS ADD EXTRA CHALLENGE: tight top three as Huertas crashes twice

The conditions in the afternoon proved to be challenging for the field with several crashes at the long right-hander of Turn 3. Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) was the fastest rider on Friday as he set a 1’41.083s in the morning, using his experience and vast knowledge of the French venue to surge into top spot. He was ahead of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) in second in the combined classification, with the Italian quickest in FP2 and Debise just behind, while Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) took third; the Spaniard was one of several riders who crashed out at Turn 3. The #99 also had a crash with Anupab Sarmoon (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) at the end of FP2 when the pair made contact at Turn 3 after taking different lines through the corner.

IN THE MIX: front runners close in on top spot

Title contender Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) claimed fourth as he set a 1’41.385s, with just three tenths separating the top four at the end of a hotly-contested day of action. Manzi was ahead of fellow Italian rider Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) with just one tenth separating the pair, while Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was sixth and the last of three consecutive Italian riders. The #3 had a crash at Turn 3 with around 17 minutes left in the session but was still able to finish in the top six.

HOME HERO FIGHTING FOR TOP POSITIONS: will Verdoia be in the top ten come Race 1?

Jorge Navarro ensured both Ten Kate riders were in the top seven as he set a 1’41.544s for P7, but his FP2 was disrupted by a Turn 5 crash in the opening part of the session. Finland’s Niki Tuuli (PTR Triumph) claimed eighth after lapping less than a tenth slower than the #9, while Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) was ninth. Andy Verdoia (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team), who is still standing in for Apiwath Wongthananon, rounded out the top ten as he goes in search of a strong result in front of his home crowd.

BACK IN STYLE: Jespersen impresses, difficult day for van Straalen

It was a solid return for Denmark’s Simon Jespersen as he finished in 11^th in the combined classification after he posted a 1’41.763s. He was around seven tenths off Debise’s pace and missed out on a top ten spot by less than a tenth, while he was 0.014s faster than Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in 12^th. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) was in 13^th ahead of Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in 14^th and Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) who rounded out the top 15. The Dutchman endured a tricky Friday with crashes in both FP1 and FP2. In the morning, he crashed at Turn 13 while he went down at Turn 3 with just over half an hour left in FP2.

HOUSEKEEPING: conditions prove challenging on Friday in France

Maiki Abe’s (VFT Racing WEBIKE Yamaha) FP2 session came to a premature end when he crashed at Turn 3 with around five minutes gone in the session; his crash brought out the red flags to allow gravel to be cleaned from the circuit. Compatriot Yuta Okaya (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) also had an early end as he suffered a technical problem shortly after the session resumed. FP2 was difficult for brothers Andrea and Maximilian Kofler in the D34G Racing team, with both having issues in the second practice session. Andreas went down at Turn 8 with around 31 minutes left on the clock while Maximilian had a technical issue towards the end of the session; both were able to re-join.

The top six from WorldSSP action on Friday, full results here:

1. Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) 1’41.083s

2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.031s
3. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) 0.053s
4. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.302s

5. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.382s

6. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.416s

Next up for WorldSSP, Tissot Superpole: watch it all from 10:25 Local Time (GMT+2) on Saturday using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Even if ahead of the round his future was thrown into the spotlight, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was the best rider come the afternoon heat and was second in the overall classification for Friday in France. The Pirelli French Round at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours always provides a mixed-up order but it’s a venue that has seen Rinaldi excel at in the past. Can he replicate his victory-contending ride of 12 months ago?

It was a steady start to the weekend for Rinaldi, who was P7 and second Ducati – directly behind teammate Alvaro Bautista – in FP1, however in the afternoon, he was right at the front of the field. 21 laps were set in heat, bringing his total to 37 for the day and he confirmed that he had experimented with a new setup on his Ducati Panigale V4 R, something previously trialled at the recent Aragon test. As the chequered flag was waved, he was just 0.073s slower than Jonathan Rea’s (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) fastest lap time set in the morning and had a margin of just 0.008s over fellow Friday revelation Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW).

Debriefing his Friday track time, Rinaldi said: “It’s been a good Friday for us as we were able to try something that we tried during the test. It’s really hot for Magny-Cours so it’s like a different track; I was able to try different tyres and push really hard to be on top in the afternoon. We have to work to improve because the top three will always be there in the race. At the moment, we’re not the favourite at all, but we can be happy about this positive first day.  It’s difficult to say who the favourite will be but I checked the lap times really quickly; I think Toprak and Jonny have the best pace right now, but we know that Alvaro on Saturday afternoon and Sunday will always be there.

“We tried a different setup to improve in the braking zone and this morning, it wasn’t 100% but in the afternoon we improved, so I was able to be fast. I still had to put perhaps too much energy to ride this kind of bike so we’re still trying to find the best solution to be smooth and fast in the same way. We’ve chosen the tyres after FP2, but I won’t tell you yet! I’ll do my best to try and jump on the podium and we’ll see what we can do to try and improve our race pace.”

Rinaldi’s form at the Magny-Cours circuit has been mixed but also successful, as in 14 WorldSBK races at the track, he achieved just one podium, albeit last year when he was in P2 and top Ducati. A best Superpole performance dates back to 2019, whilst he completed the gentlemen’s set of win, pole and the fastest lap in Superstock 600 in 2015, leading all the laps too.

He’ll need some Magny-Cours magic this weekend to, to put himself in the shop window for 2024; Rinaldi confirmed on Thursday that he is 99.9% certain to be on the WorldSBK grid but he needs to assess his options. This comes after he was announced as departing the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati outfit on Tuesday ahead of the round, being replaced by World Supersport Champion-elect Nicolo Bulega, being promoted up to WorldSBK.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

On the back of testing at MotorLand Aragon, Team HRC opted to use 15 tokens as part of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship superconcession system to bring a new chassis to the Pirelli French Round which Iker Lecuona used on Friday. The #7 was able to use it at a recent MotorLand Aragon test and had a positive first impression with it, while teammate Xavi Vierge did not use it on Friday at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.

Honda had a difficult Friday in France with Vierge the fastest of the two in FP1. Vierge posted a 1’38.068s to take 12^th place while Lecuona was three places and two tenths down on his teammate. In FP2, Lecuona was the lead rider despite a small crash as he posted a 1’38.394s to finish 15^th while Vierge was 20^th; the #97 had a big crash at Turn 3 when he ran wide onto dirt that had been brought onto the circuit by Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) a lap earlier. His best time was a 1’39.625s.

However, on Thursday, it was announced that Honda had spent 15 tokens under the concession system to bring a new chassis, with Lecuona using that on Friday while Vierge was with the previous one. Speaking during Free Practice 2, Team HRC’s Team Manager, Leon Camier, gave his first thoughts on the chassis as well as explaining what the #7 first thought of the new item. Camier did admit it wasn’t a “gamechanger” for the team but expressed his hope that it would be a step in the right direction as Honda look to become regular podium contenders.

Explaining the decision to bring the new chassis and how it’ll benefit the riders, Camier said: “Iker had a positive test with it at Aragon, so we decided to use it here as our superconccession. As of right now, I don’t think it was a gamechanger, but I think it was a little step in the right direction. It’s not touching on the problem per se but a step in the right direction. We need to analyse it a little bit more at this track, Aragon is different from here. We need to understand how it’s working here and once we get the bike setup correctly and see where the potential is from there.”

With Lecuona using the chassis, Camier explained what the Spaniard’s feedback had been so far. Camier explained: “He’s struggling in a few areas, mainly on entry with stopping the bike. It’s super-hot conditions here and low grip for this circuit. One thing we’ve understood is when you bring something new, you need several laps on each circuit and more than one circuit to get a real understanding.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

It was a frantic afternoon of MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Magny-Cours as two red flags headlined FP2. The Pirelli French Round’s first day of action came to a close with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) on top of the order, showcasing his strength at the technical and intricate French track. The first red flag was due to a crash by Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) on the exit of Turn 3, whilst the second was because of an engine issue for Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), leaving fluid on the track.

KAWASAKI VS DUCATI: Rea and Rinaldi as Friday concludes

Having led the way in FP1, Jonathan Rea’s afternoon wasn’t quite as straight forward, with a lot of work going on with the front of his Kawasaki ZX-10RR after the second red flag. The 36-year-old, who is in his final third of the season and thus the last races as a Kawasaki rider, got back out for the final 20 minutes or so and was up inside the top six before ultimately taking seventh and whilst not improving his morning time, nobody managed to beat it, so he goes into Saturday with confidence. Teammate Alex Lowes was also on the pace throughout the day and was ahead of Rea in P6 and the fastest rider through sector four, although warmer afternoon temperatures wouldn’t have been ideal for either, even if the valuable track time may help for the future.

As the track temperatures came up, the Ducatis found their form. First, it was Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who put in a solid lap time to lead the session into the final ten minutes, whilst Championship-leading teammate Alvaro Bautista moved up into P3. Both improved on their morning times considerably at a track that recently hasn’t been one of Ducati’s strongest. Rinaldi took P2 overall as he goes to replicate his podium success and victory contention from 2022, whilst Alvaro Bautista, having not been too well on Thursday, finished the day in sixth, 0.274s off Rea’s morning pace.

GERLOFF SHINES: American star leads BMW’s charge, Razgatlioglu in P4

Flying the BMW flag and indeed the Independent one, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) put a stunning first day together and was second on the timesheets in both sessions, taking P3 on the combined times. Gerloff was set a strong stint at the end of FP2 in what was a race simulation at the end and had solid top six pace. As for the factory team, Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was their best representative with a late charge to P5 in FP2 and therefore P8 on combined times. Teammate Michael van der Mark suffered a fall at Turn 13 but was OK, taking 13^th overall. Home-hero Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) concluded the day in 12^th, with the top 13 riders in one second of each other.

Third in the morning and in the afternoon, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) was in good form at one of his favourite circuits on the calendar. He was less than a quarter of a second behind Rea’s fastest time from the morning and less than a tenth and a half behind Rinaldi in FP2, taking fourth on the combined times and like Rea, not being able to improve his time compared to the morning. His teammate Andrea Locatelli was solid in P8 during the afternoon session having been flying in fourth during the morning, but he remained inside the top ten overall, taking P5 at the close of Friday business.

HONDA STRUGGLE: Vierge suffers big highside, Lecuona 17th

There was a dramatic day for Honda, who announced coming into the round that their super concession had been activated with a new chassis. After a quiet opening session, Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) started FP2 with a bang, with a big highside exiting Turn 3. He got caught up with the bike which cartwheeled through the air in a cloud of dust and gravel, resulting a red flag. The incident seemed to be triggered by a moment a lap earlier for Razgatlioglu, his knee digging into the grass on the inside of the turn, kicking up dust which then settled on and next to the racing line. Vierge was able to walk away, whilst the track was cleared up. Debut Suzuka 8 Hours winner Vierge didn’t return to the track and will be reviewed on Saturday after multiple contusions to his right hip and forearm, but his FP1 time leaves him 14^th overall. Teammate Iker Lecuona returned to WorldSBK action after three MotoGP™ outings throughout summer, and he was 17^th come the end of Friday running.

INDEPENDENTS WITH POINTS TO PROVE: expect improvements from outside the top ten

Besides Gerloff in P3, there were more Independents to watch out for, including Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) who took P9 with a late lap at the end of FP2. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) suffered a chain issue in the morning but took tenth overall, improving his time by just over a tenth of a second. After a massive crash at Turn 7 in FP1, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) had a much more straightforward session and was 11^th at the end of the day, whilst Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) was the final Ducati in 15^th.

After his engine blow-up on the exit of Turn 13, Dominique Aegerter was left down in 16^th after day one, whilst Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha) was 18^th. Brad Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) suffered a big crash on his return to WorldSBK action at Turn 3 after the first red flag, meaning he didn’t get back out. Isaac Vinales (TPR Team Pedercini Racing), Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Hannes Soomer (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team), Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) and returning Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team) completed the order.

Top six after WorldSBK action on Friday, full results here:

1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’36.900

2. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.073s

3. Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.081s

4. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.160s

5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.242s

6. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.274s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Matteo Vannucci’s (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) early lap in Free Practice 2 for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship was enough for him to top the times on the opening day of the Pirelli French Round. At the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, the Italian was one of a few riders to improve their lap times in the afternoon as he finished more than three tenths clear of Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) after the Italian went fastest in Free Practice 1.

HEATING UP: Vannucci flies to the top, handful of riders improve in FP2

Vannucci posted a 1’52.914s to improve his time in the afternoon but he was one of just 11 riders to do so in FP2 as he found time and his time was the fastest time of the day. Sabatucci was fastest in FP1 and second in the combined classification after his time of 1’53.277s in the morning. German star Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) claimed third overall after setting a time 0.491’s slower than Vannucci’s fastest time of the day.

STRONG DAY FOR A ROOKIE: Veneman soars in the heat

Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) continued enjoying a strong opening day in France as he claimed fourth, almost six tenths down on Vannucci’s best time while Championship leader Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) in fifth as he looks to add to his podium count for the season and extend his lead. Home hero Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) completed the top six as he aims for home glory, with the Frenchman exactly 0.700s down on Vannucci.

INSIDE THE TOP TEN: nine tenths separating the fastest ten

Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) ensured both of the team’s riders were in the top seven as he set a 1’53.636s ahead of compatriot Ruben Bijman (Arco Motor University Team) in eighth. The pair failed to improve their lap time compared to their FP1 efforts while Daniel Mogeda (Kawasaki GP Project) was ninth with the Spaniard able to improve his time in FP2. He posted a 1’53.757s to go around a tenth quicker compared to the morning and move up the order; he finished second in FP2. Indonesia’s Galang Hendra Pratama completed the top ten.

TITLE CONTENDER DOWN THE ORDER: can Gennai find time on Saturday?

Title contender Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) narrowly missed out on a place in the top ten as he lapped 0.003s slower than Hendra Pratama, while Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project) was 12^th. Julio Garcia (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) took 13^th with Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) in 14^th. Marc Garcia (China Racing Team), continuing to deputise for the team, completed the top 15.

The top six from WorldSSP300 on Friday, full results here:

1 Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) 1’52.914s

2. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) +0.363s

3. Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) +0.491s

4. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.578s

5. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.599s

6. Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.700s

Watch WotldSSP300 action on Saturday with Tissot Superpole from 09:45 Local Time (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

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 15^th, one place ahead of Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) who is also third in standings. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 19^th 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

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is back underway after the mid-season break came to a close and the return to racing action reignited the various battles on track. After a crazy week of rider market news, the on-track headlines continued to be dominated by Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who took top spot in FP1 at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The session was ended early following a big crash for Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) at Turn 7, although the Italian was able to walk away.

The most successful rider at Magny-Cours with nine wins, Jonathan Rea was relentless from the green light after writing the headlines off-track coming into the round. With a move to Yamaha coming for 2024, Rea started his final four rounds with Kawasaki in a strong way, leading the way for most of the session. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) undertook a time attack at the end of the session and was a revelation in P2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) took third and made it three different manufacturers inside the top three, one place ahead of teammate Andrea Locatelli, with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in P5 at a track he always goes well at.

In sixth place and after a Thursday where he wasn’t well, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was over half a second adrift of Rea at the top, with the Championship leader just one place ahead of teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who will be looking for a ride for 2024. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was eighth at the track where he led a race for the first time for BMW 12 months ago, one place ahead of Axel Bassani. He had a massive crash at Turn 7 when he lost control on the direction change, with the Ducati and Bassani flying through the air. ‘El Bocia’ was able to walk away whilst his bike took a battering, but a red flag was shown which signified the end of the session. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) took P10 after a chain issue at the start of the session. An electronics issue for Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) kept the home hero – who sports a resplendent special helmet in tribute to the late F1 driver Francois Cevert – in the pits, although he got out with 15 minutes to go.

Top six after WorldSBK FP1 at Magny-Cours, full results here:

1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’36.900s

2. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +0.157s

3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.160s

4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.242s

5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.431s

6. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.567s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

After a long break, the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship resumed at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) was claimed top spot in Free Practice 1. The Italian was just ahead of compatriot Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) in the first session of the Pirelli French Round, as three manufacturers finished in the top three during the 30-minute session.

After the first few laps, it was Vannucci who was leading the way comfortably but, as faster times came in, he dropped down the order before returning to the sharp end. In the end, it was compatriot Sabatucci who topped the times as he set a 1’53.277s as he finished a tenth clear of Vannucci, one of several title contenders looking to steal a march on his rivals. The #91 had a trip through the gravel in the second half of the 30-minute session but was still able to finish in second, 0.015s clear of Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) in third.

Rookie Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) enjoyed a strong FP1 session as he finished in fourth but had been running in the top three throughout. His best time was a 1’53.492s to finish 0.215s down on Sabatucci’s time while he was 0.021s clear of Championship leader Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) in fifth. Home hero Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) completed the top six as he goes in search of home glory at Magny-Cours.

2020 Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) was seventh after posting a 1’53.636s and he was around a tenth clear of fellow Dutch rider Ruben Bijman (Arco Motor University Team) in eighth. Indonesia’s Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) was ninth, 0.525s down on top spot, while Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) rounded out the top ten after lapping just 0.003s slower than Hendra Pratama.

In terms of other title contenders, Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsport by SKM – Kawasaki) was 18^th as he set a 1’54.644s, while Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America) was just a place ahead.

The top six from WorldSSP300 FP1, full results here:

1. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) 1’53.277s

2. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) +0.113s

3. Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) +0.128s

4. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.215s

5. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.236s

6. Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.337s

Watch more WorldSSP300 action with FP2 from 14:15 Local Time (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com