Source: Supplied.

The opening day’s Free Practice sessions for the Fassi French Round drew to a close with new WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea leading the way aboard his Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R.

The 28-year-old Ulsterman was able to break the 1m38s barrier on his penultimate lap of the FP2 session as he lapped the Magny-Cours track in 1m37.750s, to edge his teammate Tom Sykes and factory Ducati rider Chaz Davies.

Fourth and fifth placed Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) and Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) showed great speed aboard their respective bikes, likewise Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) who was sixth at the flag, despite an early crash during the session.

Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) continued his familiarisation with the French track by finishing seventh ahead of the Italian trio of Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing Ducati), Luca Scassa (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia), who rounded out the top 10.

Outgoing WorldSBK champion Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike) was headed by Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing Ducati) for 11th, while one wildcard rider Markus Reiterberger (VanZon Remeha BMW) claimed a provisional 13th place.

World Supersport leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) topped the opening day’s on track activity at Magny-Cours, leading the way thanks to the 1.41.660s he set in the morning session.

Behind the Turk, who could wrap up his fourth WSS title on Sunday, was a confident and fast Lucas Mahias, who closed to within 0.091s aboard his MG Competition Yamaha. Third overall on the combined times was PJ Jacobsen (CORE’’ Motorsport Thailand).

Of the Australia entries, Aiden Wagner (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda) ended 17th in his first visit to Magny-Cours, with Glenn Scott (AARK Racing Honda) 23rd.

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