DIEGO PONCELET SETS QUALIFYING PACE IN STAND UP

9 July, 2022, MONTICIANO (Italy): Spain’s Diego Poncelet was the standout rider of the field of over 50 in Stand Up, setting the fastest times in all three runs in today’s qualifying, with just 1.76s splitting the top ten.

The Spanish rider set the initial target time of 1:40.56s down the 2km circuit for the others to chase on his opener, improving slightly on his second run with a 1:40.50 then securing the top spot on his final and best run in 1:39.74s. “I’m very happy to be quickest but a little disappointed not to beat my track record from last year, but the conditions were different, more wind, hotter track because it is earlier in the year,” said Poncelet. “. But all things considered I’m happy with the performance but as always it is important to think about what I could have done better.”

Australia’s reigning world champion Harry Clarke was within 0.14s after the opening salvo but failed to improve on his middle run, then securing the second quickest time of the session on his last outing with a 1:40.29.

Stefano Barbizzi gave the partisan Italian crowd something to cheer about, the Italian rider nailing the third fastest time of the afternoon, 1:40.74, which he set on his first run, with Spain’s Oscar Rodriguez Escoin jumping up into fourth spot with a 1:40.92 set on his middle run.

Australia’s Shannon Tully and France’s Yannis Markarian traded times and spots on the timing sheets, Tully stealing fifth spot on the final run with 1:40.96s to edge out Markarian by 0:00.01s.