Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing) will start the penultimate race of the STK1000 Cup from Pole Position after laying down the gauntlet in official qualifying at Jerez.
A steady opening day saw the young Argentine rider focus on race set up and after declaring himself satisfied unleashed a lap time 0.659s better than his nearest rival and current championship leader Lorenzo Savadori (Team Pedercini).

Joining Mercado and Savadori on the front row tomorrow will be Italian Fabio Massei (EAB Racing Ducati).

Matthieu Lussiana (Team Garnier by Aspi) will head row two where he will be joined by Kyle Smith (Agro-On Wil Racedays Honda) and David McFadden (MRS Kawasaki).