WorldSBK Catalunya: WorldSSP Superpole lap record for Aegerter

Ten Kate Yamaha’s Dominique Aegerter strengthened his WorldSSP challenge with pole position at Catalunya on Saturday.

His fifth pole of the 2022 season, Aegerter’s commanding 1’43.983 was a full second faster than Puccetti Kawasaki’s Can Öncü in second with Federico Caricasulo completing the front row on the Althea Ducati.

A damp start to Saturday subsided to dry conditions for the WorldSSP Superpole shootout. Evan Bros. Yamaha’s Lorenzo Baldassarri crashing out of his out lap with drops of rain threatening as championship leader Dominique Aegerter set the pace with a 1’46.505.

Öncü was in charge next time around, a second quicker than the previous best with Aegerter slotting into second. Niki Tuuli claimed third on the MV Agusta from Barni Ducati’s Oli Baylis and MV teammate Bahattin Sofuoglu until GMT94’s Andy Verdoia swept up to third.

Aegerter was back on provisional pole at the halfway stage with the first 1’44 of the day. Ducati’s Nicola Bulega climbing to sixth from Dynavolt Triumph’s Stefano Manzi, before Caricasulo made his case for the front row.

Glenn van Straalen promoted the EAB Yamaha to the hotly contested third position as the final five minutes got underway before the lap was deleted. Baldassarri returning to the action in a bid to set a time as the title battle intensified. The Dutchman back on the front row, this time in second, with his next attempt.

Adrian Huertas was the next to shuffle the standings as he took his shot at second, Caricasulo and Öncü both demoting him in quick succession as the Turkish rider claimed the runner-up spot a second adrift of the ever-improving Ten Kate rider out front. 1’43.983 the new target and new lap record with just a minute left on the clock.

Baldassarri’s first