De Paul Gozzi / Corsedimoto.com
The Cannibal takes another pole, also setting the new Aragón record. Baz, second and Scott Redding third, fast on the new tire. Michael Rinaldi fifth
Incredible Jonathan Rea: at Motorland Aragón, he signed the 25th Superpole of his career, also establishing a new absolute track record in 1'48.860. In the front row with the world champion, we will find Loris Baz, with the Yamaha Ten Kate, and the direct rival for the world championship, Scott Redding. The Ducati rider reappeared with the new ultra-soft tire, but race 1 begins with various unknowns for the Red. Michael Rinaldi continues to fly, author of an excellent time. Poor performance from Toprak Razgatlioglu, third force in the world: he is only eleventh.
In addition to the flying lap, Jonathan Rea also showed himself to be particularly incisive previously, with the SC0 tire: he completed three laps in a row under the 1'50.0 wall. In Superpole, on the other hand, Chaz Davies struggled, only ninth, but it is the Ducati rider who is perhaps best placed regarding the pace. Here the Welshman has won seven times and, in Jonathan Rea's opinion, he is the favorite to win. Starting from the third row is not comfortable, but overtaking at Motorland is quite easy. Especially for the Ducati which flies in a straight line.
Toprak, where are you?
It will also be a difficult start for Toprak Razgatlioglu, who, despite two days of testing in mid-August, simply cannot get going. The Yamaha protégé will start from the fourth row (eleventh time), and is eight tenths behind the wild Jonathan Rea. With the same Yamaha, in addition to Loris Baz who knew how to suck the wake of the Cannibal, Michael van der Mark, who will start eighth, and the American Garrett Gerloff, with the R1 deployed by the GRT satellite, did better.
Race 1 at 14:00 p.m., with valuable points
The first of two consecutive rounds scheduled at Motorland will begin at 14:00 p.m. with Race 1 scheduled over a distance of 20 laps. 25 valuable points are at stake in the global challenge: Jonathan Rea starts with 4 points ahead of Ducati rider Scott Redding. In total, 124 points will be up for grabs in Aragón, in six races, between now and Sunday September 6. The marathon in the Spanish hills could have a very strong impact on the title race.
Photo: Diego De Col
