SSP300 Portimao J1: Scott Deroue in form ahead of Andy Verdoïa

While after the Portuguese event only the races of Magny-Cours and Losail will remain, the leader of the Championship Manuel Gonzalez displayed a nice advantage of 43 points over the reigning World Champion Ana Carrasco, tied on points with Scott Deroue and Andy Verdoïa. The young Frenchman Verdoïa highlighted himself with a good second place at Donington, after finishing third in the previous race at Misano. Hugo de Cancellis, second in Aragón, also carefully prepared for the Magny-Cours event.

Ana Carrasco retained his hopes of renewing his world crown “ At the start of the season, it was difficult” declared the reigning champion. “I am satisfied with my performance and my team is working well. We are going fast now, so I think we can improve significantly. We took two podiums in Jerez and a victory in Misano. We need to continue on this path and become stronger in the second half of the season. The situation in the championship is quite difficult. My only goal is to win more races. I think this is the only way to win the SSP-300 again. I will continue to give everything. I have nothing to lose, but I can only gain. »

10 o'clock in the morning. On your marks. Ready?

During the first free practice session of Group A, Philip Rovelli (the son of ParkinGO team boss Giovanni Rovelli), coached by Fabien Foret, led for most of the session in 1'57.030. Then Galang Hendra Pratama on Yamaha took the lead in 1'56.927 ahead of five Kawasakis, including that of Nick Kalinin who fell without seriousness at the end of the session.

Among the three French people registered in Group A, Enzo de la Vega was 18th, Kyrian Hartmann 23th and Dylan Delouvy 26e.

Results of the first free practice session of Group A:

During the first free practice session of Group B, Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki), the Championship leader, did not let anyone else have the best lap at the start of the session in 1'58.258. Then Scott Deroue (Kawasaki), tied for second in this same Championship, passed in front in 1'57.191, before improving in 1'56.607 (faster than Group A). Deroue progressed in 1'56.268, a new track record. Gonzalez was half a second behind.

The tricolor armada was much larger (and faster) than in Group A with Andy Verdoïa (Yamaha) 3rd, Hugo de Cancellis (Yamaha) 6th, Samuel di Sora (Kawasaki) 9th, Joseph Forray (Kawasaki) 16th, Mateo Pedeneau (Yamaha) 18th, Romain Dore (Yamaha) 25th, Steffie Naud (Kawasaki) 27th Adrien Quinet (Honda) unclassified.

Results of the first free practice session of Group B:

During the second free practice session of Group A, Ana Carrasco, the reigning World Champion, quickly climbed into third position, behind the two morning leaders Galang Hendra Pratama and Filippo Rovelli.

Australian Tom Edwards, holder of the practice record since last year, moved into fifth position behind Nick Kalinin, who moved into second position at the end of the session.

Combined Group A results:

During the second free practice session of Group B, Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez moved up to second position, 0.3 behind Scott Deroue, ahead of Andy Verdoïa in third, who closed to 0.5 behind the Dutch leader.

Victor Steeman brought the first KTM RC 390 R to fifth position ahead of Hugo de Cancellis, and the brilliant Beatriz Neila (Verdoïa's teammate at BCD Yamaha MS Racing).

With 10 minutes to go, Andy Verdoïa moved into second position, 0.303 behind Scott Deroue, 0.06 ahead of Manu Gonzalez. Hugo de Cancellis also progressed, taking fourth place, 0.706 behind Deroue.

Group B being significantly faster than A, the symbolic first line was made up of Deroue, Verdoïa and Gonzalez. But we will of course have to wait for the Superpole verdict.

Combined Group B results: