For the fourth race of the season, after Phillip Island, Chang and Aragon, Kenan Sofuoglu set the best time in the Superpole ahead of PJ Jacobsen, Michael Canducci, Lucas Mahias, Jules Cluzel and Sheridan Morais.
The first day of free practice was difficult for Lucas Mahias due to weather conditions: It was a difficult day, especially in the morning due to many weather changes. In the afternoon, I pushed myself a lot to set a time and place myself in the Top 10 in qualifying. I managed to record the fourth time, but it was only on one lap. My pace for the race is not yet great, but we are working on this with the team. For qualifying, we are ready, however we must work to be consistent and ensure a good place at the finish of the race. »
According to Jules cluzel : " It was a difficult day. In the morning we had rain and we were stressed because we expected more in the afternoon. The goal in the morning was to stay in the top ten and we did that. The afternoon was more relaxed, we worked better and found solutions. P7 is not the best we can do, I am confident for Saturday. »
In the first Superpole, Luke Stapleford qualified in the company of Hannes Soomer. The fastest at the start of Superpole 2 was Jules Cluzel in 1'39.111, then Kenan Sofuoglu took command in 1'38.554, ahead of Lucas Mahias in 1'38.939. Cluzel retained third place.
Sofuoglu improved to 1'38.469, as did Mahias to 1'38.633. At 0.5 Jules was ahead PJ Jacobsen for third position, ahead Federico Caricasulo. In the last five minutes, PJ Jacobsen moved into second place behind Sofuoglu and ahead of Morais, Stapleford and Cluzel.
Sofuoglu improved to 1'37.805. He finally preceded PJ Jacobsen, Michael Canducci, Lucas Mahias, Jules Cluzel and Sheridan Morais.
Jules cluzel : " I am delighted with this day, because we progressed with each session. Step by step, we are stronger and we are getting closer to the front lines. Even though Kenan has a big gap, we are closer and that's the most important thing. I was seventh yesterday, sixth this morning and fifth this afternoon. So I think it is possible to fight for the podium. It looks like we can do it and we'll see how the race goes; It's a big group and the fight promises to be fierce, that's for sure. We must be strong, focused and ready to fight. »
Qualification results:
1 K. SOFUOGLU TUR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'37.805
2 P. JACOBSEN USA MV Agusta Reparto Corse MV Agusta F3 675 1'38.479 0.674
3 M. CANDUCCI ITA 3570 Puccetti Racing FMI Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'38.556 0.751
4 L. MAHIAS FRA GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team Yamaha YZF R6 1'38.589 0.784
5 J. CLUZEL FRA CIA Landlord Insurance Honda Honda CBR600RR 1'38.602 0.797
6 S. MORAIS RSA Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF R6 1'38.618 0.813
7 L. STAPLEFORD GBR Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675 1'38.738 0.933
8 K. SMITH GBR GEMAR Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1'38.772 0.967
9 F. CARICASULO ITA GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team Yamaha YZF R6 1'39.148 1.343
10 K. RYDE GBR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'39.292 1.487
11 A.M. SOOMER EST WILSport Racedays Honda CBR600RR ESS 1'39.656 1.851
12 G. REA GBR Team Kawasaki Go Eleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'39.976 2.171
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
1 LUCAS MAHIAS 45 YAMAHA
2 ROBERTO ROLFO 40 MV AGUSTA
3 SHERIDAN MORAIS 34 YAMAHA
4 KYLE RYDE 32 KAWASAKI
5 NIKI TUULI 27 YAMAHA
6 PJ JACOBSEN 26 MV AGUSTA
7 FEDERICO CARICASULO 25 YAMAHA
8 DECHA KRAISART 20 YAMAHA
9 AIDEN WAGNER 17 HONDA
10 ANTHONY WEST 16 YAMAHA
11 KAZUKI WATANABE 16 KAWASAKI
12 HIKARI OKUBO 15 HONDA
13 JULES CLUZEL 13 HONDA
