Catalunya World Superbike Superpole Results: Bautista sets new lap record

Alvaro Bautista has taken pole position for Race 1 of Catalunya World Superbike round after setting a new all-time lap record.

Taking no time to set out his intention, Bautista set the fastest lap of the weekend on his very first effort.

• Catalunya World Superbike FP3 Results: Bautista destroys the competition 
• 2024 WorldSBK Rider Line-up: Who are the confirmed riders?

A time of 1:40.264s was set by the Spaniard which was a new lap record from the factory Ducati rider.

Impressive throughout this season, especially over one lap, Dominique Aegerter was the closest challenger to Bautista as he went within six tenths of the world champion. 

Jonathan Rea was fourth following the opening stint, while Alex Lowes was just +0.001s behind his teammate in fifth.

Before starting his second stint Lowes came unstuck at the final corner as he crashed out of qualifying.

Lowes’ fall resulted in Rea having to abandon his latest lap which looked good enough to challenge Bautista.

Bautista though was on another incredible lap before he too had to slow down due to yellow flags. Those same yellow flags then became a red flag with two minutes remaining due to Lowes' bike leaking fluid onto the circuit.

A frantic final two minutes began as Aegerter, Rea, Rinaldi and Lecuona all found significant improvements. However, none were good enough to challenge Bautista who did not improve as being caught up in a big group of riders.

Catalunya World Superbike records

Lap record - Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati 1:41.135s

2022 Race Winners

Race 1 - Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati

Superpole Race - Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati 

Race 2 - Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati

Bautista on fire in Catalunya World Superbike FP3

While it was teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi who led the way for most of FP3, Bautista showed once again that he has pace in hand after breaking into the mid 1m 40s late on.

A time that was nine tenths clear of Andrea Locatelli, Bautista was untouched as he took top spot. 

Leading BMW's charge was Garrett Gerloff, as the American posted a time good enough for P4 in what was his best practice session of the season thus far

Weekend schedule (UK time) 

Friday

Free Practice 1 - 09:30-10:15

Free Practice 2 - 14:00-14:45

Saturday 

Free Practice 3 - 08:00-08:30

Superpole - 10:10-10:25

Race 1 - 13:00

Sunday 

Warm-up - 08:00-08:15

Superpole Race -10:00

Race 2 - 13:00