Jerez, Superpole: World Championship leader David Salvador with a massive lead

The race weekend at the Circuito de Jerez marks the season finale of the new World Sportbike Championship. The championship leader is Spaniard David Salvador (Kawasaki), who has already signed a deal to move up to the 2027 Supersport World Championship. Salvador has a lead of just twelve points over his team-mate Xavi Artigas. If everything goes according to plan, the title is likely to be decided on Sunday in the second race.

Phillip Tonn will again be replaced by Hugo De Cancellis in the Kove team at Jerez. Roberto Fernandez is stepping in for Loris Veneman, who suffered a heavy crash in Cremona.

In the morning’s free practice session, Carter Thompson (Yamaha) set a time of 1:46.905, 0.014 seconds ahead of Salvador. Artigas, in fifth place, was 0.6 seconds off the pace.

The Superpole, which took place at 2.10 pm, was held in summer-like conditions. Juan Risueno (Kawasaki) set the first notable lap time of 1:46.950. Shortly afterwards, the session was halted following a collision between Fenton Seabright (Triumph) and Jurrie van Crugten (Aprilia). The Dutch rider had a minor crash, but his motorbike remained on the track.

After a brief three-minute interruption, qualifying resumed, but curiously, only Harrison Dessoy (Triumph) initially got on his bike. His 32 fellow riders bided their time before immediately setting out to chase fast lap times.

Halfway through the 25-minute session, the track gradually began to fill up again. Artigas was the first of the top riders to mount a challenge for the fastest time. With nine minutes remaining, the 23-year-old took the lead on the timesheet with a lap of 1:46.889.

Just 30 seconds later, Salvador caused a sensation: with a time of 1:45.802, the World Championship leader confidently took the top spot. Carter Thompson (Yamaha) and Artigas followed, 0.7 seconds behind.

With two minutes to go, the top three remained unchanged. The high temperatures were clearly making fast lap times difficult, and crashes were also ruining many a fast lap – with one minute remaining, Seabright skidded off.

As a result, Salvador secured pole position ahead of Thompson and Artigas. This means the riders currently making the biggest impression will start side by side on the front row. The same Kawasaki-Yamaha-Kawasaki line-up follows in row two with Risueno, Marco Gaggo and Antonio Torres.

The highest-placed Aprilia rider on the grid is Matteo Vannucci in seventh position. Ferre Fleerackers qualified ninth on the fastest Suzuki. Other positions: Seabright (12th/Triumph), Tayo Aksu (13th/Honda), Benat Fernandez (24th/Kove).