WSBK Supersport Indonesia Warm Up: Can Öncü on his momentum from yesterday, Valentin Debise 4th!

Unlike his team “big brother”, the world champion Superbike In title Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Nicholas Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) had to interrupt the perfect domination it had shown so far in the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship on the Mandalika circuit.

The Indonesian free trials, but especially the Qualifying superpole, made us understand that suspense was going to be essential, the differences being tiny with Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) and Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing).

And indeed, the latter escaped from the start to win his first victory with more than three seconds ahead as raindrops fell at the start of the race. Federico Caricasulo et Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) complete the podium in front Marcel Schrötter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) while Nicholas Bulega only finished 5th, ahead Valentine Debise (GMT94 Yamaha).

What happened to the championship leader? Starting from pole position but feeling uncomfortable on slicks while drops of rain fell on the grid, he lost a lot of time during the first four laps before moving up from 8th position, until colliding with Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) at turn #16 and sending the Dutchman to the ground without gravity.

A difficult race that the Ducati official is keen to forget: “ I am very happy with this first pole position but in the race, I was not able to push as I wanted. I was having a lot of difficulty in certain sectors and this did not allow me to attack and recover positions after the first two difficult laps. There is no doubt that we need to work to improve for Race 2. »

Other presenter of the sessions so far, Stefano manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) finished 6th ahead Troy bayliss (D34G Racing), Bahattin Sofuoğlu (MV Agusta Reparto Corsica), John mcphee (Vince64 by Puccetti Racing), Glenn van Straalen et Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), while Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) and Nicholas Spinelli (VFT Racing Yamaha) had to retire.

For this 15-minute warm-up, the conditions are similar to those of the previous two days, with a completely clear sky and temperatures of 29° in the air and 36° on the ground, even if the wind is blowing quite strongly.

Nicholas Bulega sets off first at the opening of the track in front Valentine Debise.

 

 

The Frenchman set the first benchmark in 1'37.618 but the Italian quickly dethroned him in 1'37.119 at the end of the first flying lap. In the next passage, the reference falls to 1'36.284 under the impetus of Can Öncü, winner of race 1 yesterday.

 

 

The GMT 94 driver, however, maintains 2nd position before Marcel Schrötter don't dislodge him from his MV Agusta.

 

 

A little after mid-session, Stefano manzi produces his effort and achieves the second time.

As the flag lowering approaches, Federico Caricasulo places the first Ducati in third position, but it is Valentine Debise who creates a surprise by dislodging him!

 

WSBK Supersport Warmup ranking in Mandalika: 

Classification credit: WorldSBK.com