Macau: Irwin storms to provisional pole

Glenn Irwin led the way as the 2017 Macau Grand Prix got underway, leading the SMT Bathams BMW’s of Michael Rutter and Peter Hickman.

Making his second appearance at the event with Be Wiser Ducati, Irwin is determined to continue his 2017 road racing success after a stunning victory at the North West 200 earlier this year.

The Ducati man’s time of 2’24.310 places him 1.5 seconds ahead of Rutter and almost two seconds clear of three-time Macau winner Peter Hickman, who is less bothered about securing pole for the weekend’s race with his aim to secure a front row start.

Conor Cummins was fourth quickest on the Padgetts Motorcycles Honda ahead of Martin Jessopp and Derek Sheils.

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Austria’s Horst Saiger was seventh quickest ahead of Aussie Davo Johnson while Gary Johnson was ninth as he makes his debut with the Briggs Equipment Kawasaki team. Former Moto3 rider Danny Webb rounded out the top ten.

The second qualifying session takes place later this evening ahead of the race getting underway at 07:40 UK time on Saturday morning. You can watch all the action here. 

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