Belfast Arenacross practice review- Friday
In what initially appeared to be a basic circuit, turned into a quite a challenge when the timed qualifying raised the intensity on what turned out to be a loose and slippery surface.
It bit Evgeny Bobryshev, and a few others, who slid out after the finish jump where it was very slick when they hit the brakes and tried to turn simultaneously. Elliott Banks-Browne, who is finally recovered from the flu, took a hard tumble of his own in a rhythm section but fortunately was able to remount unharmed.
The whoops should also prove pivotal, some riders blitzing across the tops with others jumping through them, the later technique used by local boy Jason Meara to take an impressive pole in the pro lites.
Pic: Jonathan McCready
In the 450s, Cedric Soubeyras was exceptionally fast in the corners but even he was outdone by the very aggressive and all-action style of Hugo Basaula who topped his group both times.
Thomas Ramette was his usual smooth and fast self while Dan Reardon looks to have the flow going for this evenings racing , Adrian Escoffier was also looking good, while Ashley Greedy was also on the pace.
A tight and at times tricky track plus very close laptimes and, unusually for Belfast, less rutty soil, should provide some great racing tonight!
Pro qualifying times:
1. Hugo Basaula, Portugal, Shocktech Kawasaki, 20.667
2. Thomas Ramette, France, SR75 World Suzuki, 20.787
3. Adrien Escoffier, France, MVR-D Husqvarna, 20.793
4. Cedric Soubeyras, France, Team FRO Systems, 20.918
5. Dan Reardon, Australia, I-Fly JK Yamaha, 20.941
6. Cyrille Coulon, SR75 World Suzuki, 20.955
7. Julien Lebeau, I-Fly JK Yamaha, 21.076
8. Ashley Greedy, Team FRO Systems, 21.116
9. Jack Brunell, Team Green Holeshot Kawasaki, 21.256
10. Charles Lefrancois, Buildbase Honda, 21.276
