GMT94 Yamaha’s Lucas Mahias was once again the fastest rider on the Paul Ricard circuit this afternoon, posting a 1’58.255 lap. Together with David Checa and Niccolò Canepa, he took the Yamaha #94 to provisional pole ahead of Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, which recorded a time of 1’59.237 with a great performance by Anthony Delhalle (1’58.512) alongside Vincent Philippe and Etienne Masson. Team SRC Kawasaki took third place on the provisional grid after its three riders Grégory Leblanc, Randy de Puniet and Fabien Foret posted a best average time of 1’59.341.
F.C.C. TSR Honda and Honda Endurance Racing’s CBR1000RR bikes jostled for 4th and 5th place on the provisional grid, ahead of YART Yamaha Official EWC Team and the second Japanese team competing at Castellet, Trick Star Racing with riders Erwan Nigon, Osamu Deguchi and Hitoyasu Izutsu. Penz13.com BMW Motorrad fell back to 8th after Lucas Pesek crashed, sustaining a foot injury.
Team Louit Moto 33 Traqueur topped the Superstock class, as in free practice, ahead of Team April Moto Motors Events and Maco Racing. In the saddle of the Kawasaki #33, Emeric Jonchière, Anthony Loiseau and Morgan Berchet took 9th place on the provisional grid with a time of 2’01.132, but a clutch of other Superstock teams – Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki, Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences, Team 3Art Yam’Avenue and Tati Team Beaujolais Racing – turned in very similar performances, placing 12th to 15th.
The second leg of qualifying starts tomorrow – Friday – at 9.40am.
