News

FIM Supersport 300 World Championship action returned with a bang in their Tissot Superpole session! The class is now past its season’s midpoint and the French round at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, and it was Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) who struck first to claim the first pole of the second half of the season. Joining him on the front row, David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) and Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) will comprise the front row in Saturday’s Race 1.

VENEMAN RETURNS TRIUMPHANT: Back in WorldSSP300, the Dutch rider didn’t need much time to reacclimate

Loris Veneman led the majority of the session, returning with a vengeance to the Championship after a stint in WorldSSP. His 1’50.890s time set a new track record in the category and earned him his fourth WorldSSP300 pole position. David Salvador took the lead in the session with nine minutes left before Veneman’s time blazed past him. Salvador’s 1’51.309s time clocked in 0.419s slower than the Dutchman but earned the Spaniard P2. While his time was fast enough to earn second place, Salvador was assessed a Long Lap penalty by FIM WorldSBK Stewards for his second offence of having five or more slow sectors during the Superpole session. Carter Thompson snagged the last front row position with his 1’51.638s time, his second time placing on the front row in 2025.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER PENALISED: a second slower than Risueno

Having placed fast enough to lead the second row, Juan Risueno (MS Racing) was the top Yamaha on the session, his 1’51.817s time earning his best starting position of the season so far; however, due to a penalty applied by FIM WorldSBK Stewards at Misano in their last round, The Spaniard will have to take a double long lap penalty. Championship leader Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) and his 1’51.898s time were shuffled back to the second row for the third time this season. Adding insult to injury, Fernandez will have to deal contend with a back of grid start in Saturday’s Race 1 after the penalty was applied by FIM WorldSBK Stewards for riding five or more slow sectors during the session. Behind him, Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) finished second row for his second P6 Superpole result of the season after earning the same Superpole result at Assen. However, the Brazilian rider was be applied a long lap penalty in Race 1 by FIM WorldSBK Stewards for his second offence of five or more slow sectors ridden during the session.

AGASKA IMPRESSES: The Indonesian replacement rider places P7 in his WorldSSP300 debut

Indonesian rider Arai Agaska (ProGP NitiRacing), who is riding as a replacement for Faerozi Toreqottullah, performed very well at the French circuit,placing seventh-fastest through his time of 1’52.092s. Agaska however will start from P13 on Saturday as he was later applied a six grid position penalty by FIM WorldSBK Stewards for overtaking under a yellow flag. Two-time WorldSSP300 Champion Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) placed P8, continuing a run of poor Superpole form after a P11 qualification at Most and a P7 placement at Misano. A mere 0.011s behind Buis, Spanish rider Unai Calatayud (ARCO MotoR University Team) placed P9 from his best time of 1’52.193s. Closing out the top 10 places, Phillip Tonn (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) and his 1’52.299s time will lead the fourth row from P10.

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

* - Will start from back of grid in Race 1 due to 5 or more slow sectors penalty incurred during Superpole session

1. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) 1’50.890s
 2. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.419s
 3. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.748s
 4. Juan Risueno (MS Racing) +0.927s
 5. Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) +1.008s*
 6. Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) +1.064s

Tune in tomorrow for the first salvo of racing action at Magny-Cours! Watch live or on-demand with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 50% off!