With the Riders’ Championship hanging tenuously in the balance, the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship’s talented young field took to the track for their Tissot Superpole session to set their Saturday Race 1 grid at the storied Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, Andalucia. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) was again the fastest of the afternoon to earn pole to open the Pirelli Spanish Round. It was the Italian’s sixth career pole position ahead of title challenger Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) in P2 and Pepe Osuna, who earns a front-row start for the first time of the season.

THOMPSON COMES OUT SWINGING: A P2 grid start will aid in his mission to unseat Fernandez

Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) rode alone in the first half of the session, and despite not having any riders to take the slipstream off of, he sent himself to the top of the order with more than 15 minutes left to go. His 1’52.039s time held, placing him at the front of the order for the third round in a row. Behind him for P2, Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) needs a strong weekend to take back the title lead. Currently 10 points behind the title leader, his second-place start will be a boon to his Race 1 hopes, as Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove), the Championship leader, will start five positions behind him in P7. Pepe Osuna (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) impressed early with his P3 pace and kept the hammer down to earn his first front-row placement of the season.

SALVADOR SLOTS P5: The Spaniard is currently 22 points behind the title leader. Will starting from the second row be enough to make a difference?

Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) had an odd session. Although he stayed on two wheels and made contact with other riders on two different occasions, the Dutchman got the job done in the end to lead the second row from P4. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) will start his aspiring Championship comeback from P5, a competitive grid position for what will be a make-or-break Race 1 for him. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) stayed quick on Friday, landing in P6 for his third start from the second row or better in three rounds.

BENAT TO START FROM BEHIND: The current Championship leader to start from P7

The title-leading #7 found himself mired in the peloton throughout the session, unable to set a time faster than his 1’52.406s. He will have his work cut out for himself on Saturday, where he can close out the title if he can outscore Thompson by 16 points and David Thompson by 4. Brazilian rider Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) stuck himself on the third row in P8. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) and Unai Calatayud (ARCO MotoR University Team) rounded out the top ten, the latter earning his best Superpole result since Magny-Cours.

The top six from the WorldSSP300 Superpole, full results here!

1. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) 1’52.039
 2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.112s
 3. Pepe Osuna (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) +0.174s
 4. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) +0.209s
 5. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.273s
 6. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.378s

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