Source: WSBK.

Portimao’s second free practice of this weekend’s 2014 FIM Superbike World Championship round saw only a handful of riders better their lap times, leaving Aprilia Racing Team rider Marco Melandri at the top of the combined standings.

Melandri was a fraction ahead of the improving Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) who elevated himself to 2nd despite running off track in the final few moments of the session.

Behind the top two Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team), and Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) were 3rd to 6th respectively.

Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) got the better of Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) for 7th, with Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) moving up several places in the final ten minutes to claim 10th and the final automatic Superpole 2 place as it stands.

Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team) was once again the best classified EVO rider in 11th overall ahead of Toni Elias (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), Sheridan Morais (Iron Brain Grillini Kawasaki – EVO) and the much improved MV Agusta Reparto Corse machine of Italian Claudio Corti, who was 14th.

Luca Scassa (Team Pedercini Kawasaki – EVO) who rode in FP1 withdrew from the event, the Italian still not fully fit from his early season crash. He was replaced in the second free practice session by Riccardo Russo, who made a midday switch from the Superstock 1000cc category that he was originally supposed to ride this weekend. Australia’s Bryan Staring rode to 23rd on Friday.

At the back of the field both Team Hero EBR riders had a torrid opening day with both Aaron Yates and Geoff May currently outside of the qualification maxima.

After two scorching 45 minute sessions, former champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) heads into tomorrow’s World Supersport FP3 and sole qualifying session at the top of the combined standings despite a late surge from the current 2014 championship leader Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team).

2014 Superbike World Championship
Round eight – Portimao, Portugal

Superbike Friday practice results:
1. Marco Melandri 1m43.880s
2. Tom Sykes 1m43.927s
3. Jonathan Rea 1m43.939s
4. Eugene Laverty 1m44.147s
5. Chaz Davies 1m44.273s
6. Sylvain Guintoli 1m44.304s
7. Alex Lowes 1m44.374s
8. Leon Haslam 1m44.511s
9. Loris Baz 1m44.629s
10. Davide Giugliano 1m44.862s
23. Bryan Staring (AUS) 1m47.596s (E)

Supersport Friday practice results:
1. Kenan Sofuoglu 1m46.400s
2. Michael van der Mark 1m46.439s
3. Jules Cluzel 1m46.760s
4. Jack Kennedy 1m47.101s
5. Kev Coghlan 1m47.232s
6. Lorenzo Zanetti 1m47.321s
7. Massimo Roccoli 1m47.373s
8. Roberto Rolfo 1m47.508s
9. Raffaele de Rosa 1m47.596s
10. Florian Marino 1m47.640s

Click here for detailed results