Nestorovic gets the lead in Q1
The sun popped out from behind the clouds before the start of Qualifying 1 meaning the STK600 riders could perform at their very best at the spectacular Autodromo do Algarve in Portimao. Australia's Adrian Nestorovic (MTM-MVR Racing Team Yamaha) - who scored his maiden podium finish in the series last year at Portimao - and Franco Morbidelli (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) were able to get ahead of early leader Gauthier Duwelz, to finish 1st and 2nd respectively within 0.057 seconds of each other.
Duwelz, current Championship leader onboard his MTM-MVR Racing YZF-R6, was followed closely by Bastien Chesaux (EAB Ten Kate Junior Honda), the young Swiss rider completing a very tight top-4. Nito Racing Kawasaki's Tony Covena return to the series after his World Supersport debut resulted in a 5th place in the very first qualifying session for the Portuguese round to precede Christian Gamarino (Team Goeleven Kawasaki), Robin Mulhauser (MTM-MVR Racing Yamaha) and Alessandro Nocco (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki).
