Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) returned to pole position in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship after a long wait, setting a new record in the process, as he beat his rivals by 0.772s at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The #22 was the only rider in the 1’51s bracket as riders secured their Race 1 and Tissot Superpole Race grid slots, and his pole position set a new record: the longest gap between first and second poles at 6 years, 4 months and 17 days, beating Marco Melandri’s record by 15 days.

THE START OF THE SESSION: aiming for a banker lap…

Rain had continued to fall between Free Practice 3 and Superpole and everyone took to the circuit on wet tyres. The first laps would prove to be crucial as the rain got heavier, with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) setting a 1’54.167s to lead Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) more than six tenths back, although a crash at Turn 5 on his second flying lap disrupted his session. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) then took his turn at the top to set a 1’53.948s, the first rider into the 1’53s.

SECURING A FRONT ROW START: Lowes’ wait ends in style, Bulega P2 despite crash

Riders continued to circulate despite the rain, with most opting to complete just one stint. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) moved into P1 with a 1’51.946s, a huge seventh tenths clear of Bulega in second who crashed at Turn 5 in the final five minutes. The Brit’s time remained unbeatable to claim his first pole since Assen 2018, a wait of 2,331 days, while Bulega secured second despite his Turn 5 fall. The front row will be completed by Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) after the #45 set a 1.52.799s for his first top-three Superpole result since the 2022 French Round.

A STRONG DAY FOR BMW: three bikes in the top five

Three BMW riders were in the top five in the results with Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) claiming fourth, just over a second behind Lowes, with Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in fifth, half-a-second down on BMW stablemate Gerloff. Honda had representation in the top six with Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) putting in a late lap in to move into P6 with a 1’53.834s, around three tenths back from van der Mark.

A SEASON-BEST FOR BASSANI: P7 for ‘El Bocia, Petrucci in the top ten after early crash

Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) secured his best Kawasaki Superpole result with seventh place, although he was almost two seconds down on his teammate, with Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) leading teammate Andrea Locatelli in eighth and nine; the #65 held a three-tenth margin over ‘Loka’. Petrucci completed the top ten despite his early crash, with the Italian returning to the track in the final five minutes.

BAUTISTA LANGUISHING IN P17: work to do for the #1, best of 2024 for Mackenzie

Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) claimed his best WorldSBK Superpole result with 11^th, just a tenth away from ‘Petrux’ in tenth. It was a strong session for another Brit, Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team), in 12^th as they mastered some perhaps familiar conditions. Elsewhere, reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) will have to start Race 1 from 17^th after a tricky session for the #1; his best time was a 1’56.630s.

There were crashes for Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) at Turn 15 and Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) at Turn 5. They claimed 20^th and 21^st in Superpole.

The top six from WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’51.946s

2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.772s

3. Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) +0.853s

4. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +1.081s

5. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +1.533s

6. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +1.888s

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