The German rider, a rookie in this class but a former world champion in Moto3, was fully 0.286 seconds ahead of the next best rider, and only just under the previous record lap with his 1’37.799 push.

World champ Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) placed second, with the fast but fickle MV of Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag) third.

French rider Jules Cluzel (NRT Yamaha) was fourth fastest, with one time strong leader in Superpole 2, Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing Triumph) fifth.

Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha) placed sixth pre-race, ahead of the second official Yamaha ridden by Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team).

Finnish runner Niki Tuuli (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) was top Honda man again, and will start Sunday’s 18-lap race from eighth position, in the middle of the third row.

The first Kawasaki home belonged to Sofuoglu stand-in, Sheridan Morais (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) with the top ten completed by a British rider, based in Spain, Kyle Smith (GEMAR Team Lorini Honda).

ESS rider and local man Rob Hartog (Team Hartog Against Cancer Kawasaki) earned 11th, with the second official Kawasaki of Hikari Okubo (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 12th.

Cortese claims pole postion, WSS, Assen WSBK 2018