Source: WorldSBK.

After the second Free Practice session of the day held in temperatures nudging 39 degrees, the man at the head of the combined standings of the eni FIM World Superbike Championship was Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki).

Almost immediately times began to tumble as Chaz Davies (Aruba Ducati SBK) improved by four tenths of a second, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Lowes and reigning champion Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda WSBK Team) also improved by several tenths.

As the session progressed the focus for many riders was on potential tyre choice for Sunday’s races with many opting to string together several longer runs.

With all the riders pushing for a place in Tissot-Superpole tomorrow, it was Lowes who grabbed first position overall after posting a sub-1m35s lap with four minutes to go.

Rea tried hard to retake the top spot, closing to within 0.066s of his British rival with his final lap, the pair comfortably ahead of the chasing pack.

Davies, Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), Sykes and Guintoli rounded out a top six that saw five manufacturers represented and separated by only 0.885s.

The remaining top 10 riders in the overall standings were Troy Bayliss (Aruba Ducati SBK), Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing Ducati), Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) and David Salom (Team Pedercini).

The reigning and former FIM Superstock 1000cc Cup winners Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing) and Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia) were locked together in 11th and 14th respectively after two encouraging sessions.

The pair were split by Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda WSBK Team) and Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) with former 125cc World Champion Nico Terol (Althea Racing Ducati) 15th.

After suffering a technical problem with both machines in FP1, Niccolo Canepa and Larry Pegram (Team Hero EBR) were able to take part in the afternoon timed period, completing the opening day in 18th and 23rd.

After an extended World Supersport FP1 in which American PJ Jacobsen (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) was fastest, this afternoon’s 45 minute FP2 saw Kyle Smith (Pata Honda WSS Team) emerge on top of the combined classification courtesy of a 1m38.490s lap time.

The British rider overhauled the FP1 best that was set by Jacobsen to head the combined times and will go into tomorrow’s FP3 and sole qualifying session with an advantage of 0.102s over Jacobsen, who remained in P2 from earlier in the day.

New father Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) moved into third position overall in the final five minutes despite a number of off-track excursions.

Australian rookie Glenn Scott was 21st overall in his second WSS appearance, posting a 1m40.826s in the second Free Practice session on Friday.

2015 World Superbike Championship
Round two – Chang International Circuit, Thailand

WorldSBK Friday practice results:
1. Alex Lowes 1m34.685s
2. Jonathan Rea 1m34.751s
3. Chaz Davies 1m35.288s
4. Leon Haslam 1m35.288s
5. Tom Sykes 1m35.457s
6. Sylvain Guintoli 1m35.570s
7. Troy Bayliss (AUS) 1m35.690s
8. Matteo Baiocco 1m35.913s
9. Jordi Torres 1m35.943s
10. David Salom 1m36.055s

WSS Friday practice results:
1. Kyle Smith 1m38.490s
2. PJ Jacobsen 1m38.592s
3. Kenan Sofuoglu 1m38.757s
4. Jules Cluzel 1m38.796s
5. Ratthapark Wilairot 1m38.825s
6. Gino Rea 1m39.008s
7. Lucas Mahias 1m39.214s
8. Lorenzo Zanetti 1m39.227s
9. Martin Cardenas 1m39.510s
10. Marco Faccani 1m39.520s
21. Glenn Scott (AUS) 1m40.826s

Click here for detailed results