Gustavo Manso’s late effort made it a Brazilian 1-2 for Saturday’s races, with Italian youngster Andrea Pizzoli joining them on the front row, after qualifying third for the second consecutive weekend.
This morning’s 30-minute Free Practice session got underway at 09:00 (local time, GMT+2), and despite the cold track temperatures, all 23 riders made it through without incident. Valentim quickly improved his times throughout the session, ending fastest, ahead of championship leader Devis Bergamini and French rider Clement Rougé.
With temperatures rising in the afternoon, the lap times tumbled and it was 17-year-old Valentim once again who shot to the top early on. The #39 rider continued to better his already blisteringly quick time, ending the Superpole 1.1s clear of Manso.
Riding the #80 Yamaha R3, 17-year-old Manso held onto his second position after a late flurry of fast laps from those behind. Pizzoli was 0.157s adrift of the Brazilian in third, with Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum starring in fourth. Rougé will join the 17-year-old on the second row, after going fifth fastest ahead of Italy’s Bergamini.
15-year-old Kevin Fontainha made it three Brazilians on the first three rows in seventh, ahead of Polish youngster Jurand Kusmierczyk. Marc Vich was the highest placed Spanish rider in ninth, while France’s Grégory Carbonnel pipped Slovakia’s Maxim Repak to complete the top 10.
Both Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup races will take place tomorrow, with the 23 riders (shared points leader Yeray Ruiz ruled out due to other commitments) heading out for Race 1 at 11:45, while Race 2 commences at 16:15.
For Superpole results, click here.
