For the first time in the Championship’s history, the FIM Supersport World Championship grid took to the Hungarian Round’s new Balaton Park Circuit for their Tissot Superpole session. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) earned a much-needed pole position, followed on the front row by Riders’ Championship second-place rider Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team), and Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing)

BENDSNEYDER BACK IN BUSINESS: Lands second career WorldSSP pole

Bo Bendsneyder may have begun to put his recent spell of slower form behind him, as the Dutchman sat P1 for most the session, holding down P1 on the back of his 1’42.799s for second pole of the season, his first since Phillip Island. After spending most of the session outside of the front-row spots, Can Oncu improved late to claim P2 with a time of 1’43.100s. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)  had the third fastest time, with his 1’43.123s; However, the Spanish rookie was disqualified for a technical infringement, pushing him to the back of the grid to start Race 1, and promoting every rider behind him up one position from what they appear on the timesheet.

MANZI TO START SECOND ROW: The current Championship leader will start Race 1 from P6

Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) claimed P4 at Balaton, earning his career-best WorldSSP result, and his first top 10 since his home round at Phillip Island thanks to his 1’43.344s. Filippo Farioli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) performed well in the session, landing him P5 for the middle spot on the second row with a time of 1’43.389s. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) tumbled down to P6, the Championship leader set to start from the back of the second row for Saturday’s Race 1.

GARCIA SNAGS THIRD ROW START: The Spanish 19-year-old to start P9 In Race 1

Mattia Casadei kicked off his third round of this season with a strong showing at the circuit’s maiden Superpole, setting a time that saw him sit at third-fastest for much of the session before he and his 1’43.497s time fell to P7. Casadei’s P7 made it three MV Agustas in the top eight. Xavi Cardelus (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) had a busy day at the office as he set a fast time early in the session to sit P3, then crashed and had to return to the box to tend to his bike. He returned to improve his time to 1’43.497s but was out paced by other ascendant riders to finish in P8. Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA) continues to impress in just his third WorldSSP round, claiming P9. Garcia’s 1’43.525s time was just 0.002s faster than Leonardo Taccini (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) in P10.

PEROLARI CRASH TRIGGERS RED FLAG: Uninjured, yet triggers several-minute stoppage

Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) suffered a minor Turn 2 crash, which he recovered from to return to the track. The session had a brief red flag after Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport) took a Turn 17 spill, he and his bike ending up sprawled out on the track. The Frenchman was unharmed, and the session resumed shortly after. Xavi Cardelus (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) crashed late in the session on Turn 11 while he sat near the top of the timesheet in P3. Daniel Blin (EAB Racing Team) tumbled in Turn 9. Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA) crashed at Turn 1 with just over a minute left in the session.

The top six fastest from the WorldSSP Superpole, full results here!

1. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 1’42.799s

2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 1’43.100s +0.301s

3. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +0.545s

4. Filippo Farioli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.590s

5. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.643s

6. Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing) +0.654s

Tune in Saturday at 12:20 local time (UTC +2) for the WorldSSP Race 1! Watch it live with the  WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 65% off!