Smiths Triumph’s Graeme Gowland clinched Motorpoint British Supersport pole position with just five minutes remaining, stealing it from fellow Triumph rider Luke Stapleford.
Profile Triumph’s Stapleford was the early pace setter, looking for his first pole of the year. Gowland edged up to second place after coming down pit lane for some adjustments to his Supersport machine.
However, on his next lap, the Northumberland rider setting three consecutive fastest sectors and clinched provisional pole by just 0.061 of a second. In the remaining five minutes both Billy McConnell and Jake Dixon threatened to challenge but McConnell and Dixon both ran wide halting their charges.
Gowland and Stapleford held on to their front row spot and they will be joined by McConnell for the sprint race later this afternoon. Profile Triumph’s Luke Mossey fronts the second row of the grid ahead of Appleyard Macadam’s Dixon, who parked up his Yamaha with a technical problem after the chequered flag was brought out. Glenn Irwin rounds out the second row of the grid.
Acumen Industrial Services Triumph’s Luke Jones will front the third row of the grid despite crashing out at Shell Haripin during the session. The former British 125 Champion was taken to the medical centre after the crash but should make it to the grid. Rounding out the third row is Gearlink Kawasaki’s Luke Hedger and Sam Hornsey.
Mar-Train Yamaha’s Alistair Seeley is a doubt for this afternoon’s first race after high siding out of Shell Hairpin. The Northern Irishman looked to be struggling with his right arm and was taken to the medical centre. The man four points adrift of the championship lead should line tenth on the grid.
