A narrow Superpole win for Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) gave him the best possible start for Sunday’s 19-lap race at Jerez.
He was only 0.049 seconds ahead of French rider Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) in second place but the next rider, Sheridan Morais (Kallio Race System Yamaha), was 0.356 seconds behind Caricasulo.
MV Agusta rider Patrick Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) flew to fourth quickest time and in an important race for championship leader Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) fifth place in qualifying makes him ready to try and win the championship itself on Sunday from the second row.
Anthony West (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) found pace just when it mattered and he secured sixth place and the last second row grid placing.
His neo-team-mate, Michael Canducci (3570 Puccetti Racing FMI Kawasaki) was seventh, and returning WorldSSP star of recent times, Lorenzo Zanetti (Team Factory Vamag MV Agusta) was eighth.
In an increasingly competitive WorldSSP field Christian Gamarino (BARDHAL EVAN BROS. Honda Racing) was ninth and Niki Tuuli (Kallio Race System Yamaha) tenth.
Kyle Smith (GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini Honda) was 11th and Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing Triumph) 12th, the first Triumph rider home.
By Gordon Ritchie
