WSBK Supersport Indonesia Superpole: Nicolò Bulega in pole position for 3 thousandths!

Like the category Superbike where the reigning world champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is having a perfect run for the moment, the 2023 season of the FIM Supersport World Championship seems to be under the total control of Nicholas Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) who dominated all winter tests at Jerez, Portimão and Phillip Island, before winning both races in Australia, then proving fastest in the first two sessions in Mandalika on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, for the second stage of the season.

However, the suspense remains intact since the differences are tiny, Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) and Marcel Schrötter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) appearing at less than a tenth of a second, Stefano manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) and Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) less than two.

However, expectations are high for Nicholas Bulega, rider of the official Ducati Panigale V2, who arrives with a year more experience than during his first weekend in Indonesia in 2022, where he finished 6th and 7th. However, it must also contain Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team), Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) and Valentine Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) which complete the Top 10 for the moment, while the revelation of Australia, Nicholas Spinelli (VFT Racing Yamaha) had to settle for 11th position yesterday.

 

Combined ranking WSBK Superbike Mandalika FP1/FP2: 

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With 30° in the air, 41° on the ground and a shining sun, the weather conditions are still hot as the 21 drivers prepare for this 20-minute qualification, in the absence of Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) injured in Australia. We take this opportunity to recall the time of last year's Superpole achieved by Niki Tuuli, in 1'35.947.

When the red lights go out, it's all over again Valentine Debise who rushes first.

 

 

From his first lap launched, Can Öncü registered 1'36.075, best time of the weekend so far!

The Turkish driver improves to 1'35.961 on the next pass while Nicholas Spinelli makes a minor mistake at turn #17.

 

 

After eight minutes, Niki Tuuli imposes his Triumph in 1'35.915.

 

 

Mid-session, while everyone is in their booth, Niki Tuuli precedes by 46/1000 Can Öncü, then come a little further Nicholas Bulega, Stefano manzi , Federico Caricasulo, Glenn van Straalen, Marcel Schrötter, Jorge Navarro, Raffaele De Rosa et Valentine Debise.

On resumption, Nicholas Bulega takes the lead in 1'35.520, only 3/1000 ahead Federico Caricasulo which also improves!

 

 

Things remain there for the top of the ranking, despite some improvement in the second part of the top 10.

 

 

Nicholas Bulega, will therefore start in pole position in front Federico Caricasulo et Can Öncü, the three men being separated by less than a tenth of a second. The first Yamaha is 7th.

 

WSBK Supersport Mandalika Superpole: ranking

Classification credit: WorldSBK.com