Superpole

Superpole is a special qualifying session used in motorcycle racing and some other motorsports where riders compete to set the fastest lap times that determine their starting positions on the race grid.

Think of Superpole as the final exam before race day. Just like regular qualifying sessions, its purpose is to figure out who starts at the front of the pack and who starts further back. However, Superpole is typically more intense and dramatic than standard qualifying because it uses special formats that put extra pressure on the riders.

The format of a Superpole session can vary depending on the racing series. In some championships, riders go out on the track one at a time to complete a single flying lap, meaning they get just one chance to record their fastest possible time. In other series, Superpole might be a short timed session where riders can do multiple laps, but they have less time than in regular qualifying. Some championships even use a knockout format, where the slowest riders are eliminated in stages until only the fastest remain competing for pole position.

The World Superbike Championship is probably the most well-known series that uses Superpole. In this championship, the Superpole session determines the starting grid for the first race of the weekend. World Superbike also introduced something called a Superpole Race in 2019, which is a short sprint race that sets the grid for the second main race. British Superbikes has used a format where the top nine riders from earlier qualifying each get one flying lap to determine their final grid positions.

Starting position matters enormously in motorcycle racing. Riders who start at the front have a much better chance of winning because they can avoid the chaos of the first corner and don't have to spend energy overtaking other competitors. This makes Superpole sessions incredibly important and stressful for riders.

During these sessions, riders often use special qualifying tires that provide maximum grip but only work well for a few laps. Teams must carefully plan their strategy, deciding exactly when to send their rider out on track and how to get the most from these specialized tires.

The high-pressure nature of Superpole creates exciting moments for fans. When a rider has only one lap to prove themselves, every corner and every gear shift matters. A small mistake can mean starting several positions lower on the grid, which can significantly impact the race result.

The exact rules and format of Superpole sessions have changed over the years as racing series experiment with different approaches to make qualifying more exciting for fans while still fairly determining the starting order for races.