Luke Stapleford left it late to bank a pole position lap in today’s Supersport qualifying session – as two of his main rivals crashed out.
The Scars-Racing Ducati rider, who headed both of yesterday’s Free Practice sessions, once again made a late push for the top spot – and again it paid off, as he stormed to a 1min 28.085s lap – more than half a second quicker than anyone else on the track.
In what has almost become typical this season, Honda Racing UK’s Jack Kennedy had come out of the blocks flying, laying down an early quick time of 1min 28.641s on his second lap.
And it was just as well he did, as those were the only two laps he completed as he tipped off at the top of the Mountain on his third try.
Triumph Macadam Factory Racing’s Oli Bayliss, who seemed to have quickly got to grip with the unique track in just his first ever visit, clocked a 1min 28.740s on his third lap out of the pits to slot in just 0.099s behind Kennedy – but he too crashed out, just two minutes after Kennedy.
With both now out of the session, only Stapleford was able to beat the pair, who ended the session second and third quickest respectively.
Kennedy’s team-mate Dean Harrison was fourth quickest at a track he’s always enjoyed while Harry Truelove rounded out the top five.
Ben Tolliday was fastest of the two Cup runners this weekend as he clocked the 21st best time, while Michael Large-Taylor has also made the grid and will start p24.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, Qualifying:
1. Luke Stapleford (Scars-Racing Ducati) 1min 28.085s
2. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK) +0.556s
3. Oli Bayliss (Triumph Macadam Factory Racing) +0.655s
4. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) +0.761s
5. Harry Truelove (McAMS Yamaha) +1.265s