Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) took his first Superpole win of the 20129 season after just missing out on a new track best lap during his push for the best starting place for Sunday’s race. This was his 21st WorldSSP pole position success.

Phillip Island race winner Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha) and Cluzel battled each other for the Superpole win, with the Frenchman heading off the Swiss by only 0.029 seconds.

Despite losing one fast lap for exceeding the track limits, ebullient Italian Federico Caricasulo (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha) was third fastest, just 0.089 seconds from pole.

Hikari Okubo (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was a surprise fourth quickest, earning the status of top Kawasaki well beyond his Friday best.

Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) delivered more variety into the top five places, with his three cylinder machine, while new WorldSSP rider Isaac Vinales (Kallio Racing Yamaha) completed the second row of the grid in sixth place.

Thomas Gradinger (Kallio Racing Yamaha) was seventh, Hector Barbera (Team Toth by Willirace) eighth and former World ChampionLucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) ninth. Ayrton Badovini (Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) ended Superpole tenth, and just over a second back from the leading rider.

By Gordon Ritchie

Photos GNG