Source: Phillip Island Circuit.

Turkey’s Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) has resumed front-running service in the World Supersport class ahead of the opening race in the championship at Phillip Island this Sunday.

After setting the fastest time in the final pre-season test at Phillip Island earlier this week, Sofuoglu was again the pacesetter as he set a best lap of 1m33.618, well ahead of second-placed British rider Kev Coghlan (Yamaha).

While the session was productive for Sofuoglu, despite his bike expiring at turn one near the end of the 45-minute session, Australia’s big hope Bryan Staring (Honda) crashed at turn six and ended up 13th in the timesheets with a best lap of 1m35.109.

The crash was a real setback for the ex-MotoGP rider from Perth, who was already playing catch-up on his competitors after a condensed pre-season on the CBR600RR – basically the two-day test at Philip Island on Monday and Tuesday.

Another big-name to crash was Dutchman Michael van der Mark (Honda), who is expected to push Sofuoglu all the way in 2014.

Van der Mark was fourth in practice two, behind Raffaele de Rosa (Honda) and ahead of Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta) and American newcomer PJ Jacobsen (Kawasaki).

The two Aussie wildcards, Billy McConnell (Triumph) and Ryan Taylor (Yamaha), were 16th and 23rd respectively.

The third practice session will be held at 10:45am tomorrow, and then qualifying at 3:55pm.

2014 Superbike World Championship
Round one – Phillip Island, VIC

World Supersport FP2 results:
1. Kenan Sofuoglu 1m33.618
2. Kev Coghlan 1m34.263
3. Raffaele de Rosa 1m34.277
4. Michael van der Mark 1m33.294
5. Jules Cluzel 1m33.337
6. PJ Jacobsen 1m33.366
7. Ratthapark Wilairot 1m33.527
8. Florian Marino 1m34.721
9. Roberto Tamburini 1m34.729
10. Fabio Menghi 1m34.854
13. Bryan Staring (AUS) 1m34.109
16. Billy McConnell (AUS) 1m35.237
23. Ryan Taylor (AUS) 1m36.303

Click here for detailed results