By Glenn Le Santo

Italian youngster Walter Tortoroglio heads the grid on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 for Sunday’s European Superstock race at Oschersleben after qualifying just 0.032-second ahead of surprise second-place man Andi Notman from England.

Notman, the Redwood Racing-sponsored youngster who swapped mid-season from Aprilia to Suzuki, has had some help from the Wilbers suspension people in Oschersleben. It seems to have paid dividends with Notman qualifying for his first-ever front-row grid position in the series.

Marty Nutt lines up third on the grid on his Suzuki with the Aprilia of Spaniard Danny Oliver alongside him in fourth. Oliver’s form has been impressive this season, he was the first non-Suzuki rider to win in the series this season, with a brilliant victory in Misano.

Title leader James Ellison, also Suzuki, missed the front row and qualified fifth. Brands Hatch winner Mark Heckles just made it onto the second row on his Honda Fireblade.

European Superstock
Final qualifying
September 1

1. Walter Tortoroglio, Italy, Suzuki, 1:32.414
2. Andi Notman, Great Britain, Suzuki, 1:32.446
3. Marty Nutt, Great Britain, Suzuki, 1:32.640
4. Daniel Oliver, Spain, Aprilia, 1:32.686
5. James Ellison, Great Britain, Suzuki, 1:32.756
6. M. Wegscheider, Italy, Suzuki, 1:32.813
7. O. Four, France, Suzuki, 1:32.854
8. Mark Heckles, Great Britain, Honda, 1:32.918
9. B. Jerzenbeck, Germany, Suzuki, 1:32.921
10. G. Vizziello, Italy, Yamaha, 1:33.264