The first WorldSSP Superpole session of the 2024 Supersport season, disrupted by the arrival of rain, welcomed a brand new pole sitter in the person of Adrian Huertas.
Despite a fall during the session on the Phillip Island circuit (Australia), Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it) took his first pole position in WorldSSP. The No. 99 managed to set a time of 1:31.407 after only completing eight laps, a highside at turn 11 ending his session prematurely and forcing him to go to the Australian circuit's medical center. The Spaniard becomes the 57th driver to take pole in WorldSSP.
Behind the official Ducati, Yari Montella (Barni Spark) and Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta) complete a top-3 which only has times under 32 minutes.
This is no longer the case from 4e rank of the table, position occupied by the Yamaha of Stefano manzi with a mark of 1:32.005. The Italian was the fastest in the free practice session with a time of 1:31.939 which would not have qualified him in a better position.
The French Valentine Debise et Lucas Mahias sign beautiful 5e and 6e respective places. The No. 53 achieved his best lap in 1:32.041 while the native of Mont-de-Marsan completed a lap in 1:32.151. A clear improvement for Debise who was only 10e in Essays.
Bahattin Sofuoglu finished seventh, achieving his best attempt just before his session was interrupted by a fall at Lukey Heights. After some examinations at the medical center, he was declared fit to continue the weekend. His time of 1:31.219 therefore allows him to start from the third row for Race 1.
Note, the falls of Frederico Caricasulo at turn 11, from Jorge Navarro at turn 4 and Glenn van Straalen, which fell around the same time in the session. The three drivers will start respectively from the 8e, 9e and 17e ranks. Anupab Sarmoon also falls at turn 4 will start 20e.
The WSBK Supersport Superpole Standings at Phillip Island:
The WSBK Supersport Free Practice Rankings at Phillip Island:
Credit rankings: Worldsbk.com
