Source: Supplied.

FP2 action began for WorldSBK around lunchtime with entry to Tissot-Superpole 2 for the top 10. Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) led the charge in the opening minutes of the session before times tumbled with Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) putting in the fastest time.

By the end, all of the top 10 were within seven tenths of a second of each other on the timesheets, making for a promising weekend of racing ahead. Sykes maintained the fastest time throughout the session, while Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) improved his time from the morning to finish second fastest.

Alex Lowes (Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) put in a last minute dash that saw him steal third on the timesheets. Temperatures rose by midday and with extra rubber on the circuit, the conditions allowed for riders to set their fastest times, with the entire top 10 improving their times from the morning session.

Michael van der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team) was fourth, while Fores was the first Spaniard home continuing his good pace on Friday afternoon, to finish in fifth. Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) improved from the morning session, setting his fastest time in sixth to secure his entry to Tissot-Superpole 2.

Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) was seventh fastest in the combined times ahead of Leon Camier who set the eighth quickest time despite sliding out on turn one in the final minutes of the session. The MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider walked away in the top ten with his sights firmly on Saturday’s Tissot-Superpole 2 shoot-out.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea finished in ninth, while Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) finished in tenth gaining a direct seeding to the Tissot-Superpole 2 qualifying session. Giugliano put in a solid performance after sitting out for most of FP2 with his recovering shoulder.

As for the Australians, Anthony West was back on the bike in WorldSBK with Pedercini Kawasaki after missing the previous round with Asian commitments, lapping 14th quickest. Milwaukee BMW’s Josh Brookes ended up 16th.

Friday afternoon saw a mid-session duel play out between Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Teammates Kenan Sofuoglu and Randy Krummenacher who fought each other for the fastest time in world Supersport session FP2.

Times stayed the same at the top of the timesheets for the Kawasaki teammates until they caught each other mid lap, half way through the session. They battled side by side for a couple of laps with Krummenacher putting in his best time to beat Sofuoglu. Australia’s Lachlan Epis ended up 29th, while in STK1000 Bryan Staring was 20th.