After a long break, the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship resumed at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) was claimed top spot in Free Practice 1. The Italian was just ahead of compatriot Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) in the first session of the Pirelli French Round, as three manufacturers finished in the top three during the 30-minute session.
After the first few laps, it was Vannucci who was leading the way comfortably but, as faster times came in, he dropped down the order before returning to the sharp end. In the end, it was compatriot Sabatucci who topped the times as he set a 1’53.277s as he finished a tenth clear of Vannucci, one of several title contenders looking to steal a march on his rivals. The #91 had a trip through the gravel in the second half of the 30-minute session but was still able to finish in second, 0.015s clear of Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) in third.
Rookie Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) enjoyed a strong FP1 session as he finished in fourth but had been running in the top three throughout. His best time was a 1’53.492s to finish 0.215s down on Sabatucci’s time while he was 0.021s clear of Championship leader Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) in fifth. Home hero Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) completed the top six as he goes in search of home glory at Magny-Cours.
2020 Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) was seventh after posting a 1’53.636s and he was around a tenth clear of fellow Dutch rider Ruben Bijman (Arco Motor University Team) in eighth. Indonesia’s Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) was ninth, 0.525s down on top spot, while Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) rounded out the top ten after lapping just 0.003s slower than Hendra Pratama.
In terms of other title contenders, Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsport by SKM – Kawasaki) was 18th as he set a 1’54.644s, while Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America) was just a place ahead.
The top six from WorldSSP300 FP1, full results here:
1. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) 1’53.277s
2. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) +0.113s
3. Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) +0.128s
4. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.215s
5. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.236s
6. Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.337s
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Source: WorldSBK.com