Friday, 2 June, PORTO CESAREO (Italy): A huge turnout for the opening round of the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championships has exceeded expectations and the tours previous high numbers, with 140 riders from 26 countries signing in at registration.

Whilst the numbers of riders in the majority of classes is just within the competition ‘safety’ levels set by the UIM, the high levels in Runabout GP1, 37, means a pre-qualifying will be run with places at a very high premium.

A simple format with riders split into two groups sees the 12 contracted riders automatically going into the official two-tiered qualifying session, with a second group of 24 fighting for the 13 available slots.

Today’s action kicks-off with practice for all classes this morning, followed by pre-qualifying in Runabout GP1 then official qualifying starting at 16.00hrs.