Krummenacher on top despite heavy crash in WorldSSP FP1 at Portimao
The Swiss rider set a scintillating pace right through the session but a mistake at the end of FP1 could prove crucial for the rest of the round
World Supersport was back in action at the Portimao circuit in Portugal, as FP1 for the class concluded with strong pace from leading rides at the Acerbis Portuguese Round. With no possibility of the championship being wrapped up here, the intensity between Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) and teammate Federico Caricasulo began early on. Krummenacher took the top-slot after FP1, with Caricasulo not far away.
Setting a blistering pace right through the session, Switzerland’s Randy Krummenacher was in a class of his own as he bolted to top spot in WorldSSP. However, there was late drama for the championship leader as he crashed heavily at Turn 2. He was able to walk away. Jules Cluzel (GMT94 YAMAHA) spent most of the session in the lower end of the top eight but soon came up to second. Federico Caricasulo was third but was over three tenths behind Krummenacher for the entirety of the session – the second sector proving tricky for the Italian. In fourth was Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) whilst rookie Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) was fifth.
Raffaele De Rosa (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) was sixth but suffered a crash with just over half an hour of the session left to run. In seventh position, Britain’s Kyle Smith (Team Pedercini Racing) put himself in good order to take the ESS crown this weekend. Smith’s teammate Ayrton Badovini was eighth, ahead of Corentin Perolari (GMT94 YAMAHA) and Jules Danilo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda), showing promise to represent all four WorldSSP manufacturers inside the top ten.
Missing from this weekend’s action is Thomas Gradinger (Kallio Racing), who injured himself during the summer break, as well as Hannes Soomer (MPM WILSport Racedays). Miquel Pons (H43 Team NOBBY TALASUR-BLUMAQ) is a wildcard this weekend and finished 16th. Krummenacher’s accident has resulted in him going to the medical centre for a check-up and has suffered a left knee deep abrasion with multiple contusions. However, he has been declated fit.
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Top six after FP1, for full results, click here!
- Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) 1’45.498
- Jules Cluzel (GMT94 YAMAHA) +0.279
- Federico Caricasulo (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) +0.394
- Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +0.605
- Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) +0.613
- Raffaele De Rosa (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) +0.644
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