Source: Supplied.

Defending Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) title-holder Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) was fastest on the opening day of practice at Chang International Circuit on Friday.

Setting the fastest time in the morning FP1, Rea continued his impressive pace around the swooping 4.554km circuit. Ending day one on top, his time of 1m33.573s put him 0.210s ahead of the field and is already looking like the man to beat.

Teammate Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) was able to put in a late fast lap to take second position, while following a late spurt in FP1 as they begin to understand the circuit aboard their Panigale R machines, Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took the third spot overall on Friday.

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing –Ducati) finished just behind his team-mate in the humid Asian conditions. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) continued to build on his pace at a track he has stood on the podium at before, ending the day in the top five with safe place in Superpole. Team-mate Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) also will take part in the second Superpole session, ending in eighth.

Spaniard Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) continues to impress following a strong opening round and after finishing in the top four in FP1, he heads into day two at Chang International Circuit in sixth position, 0.601s off the fastest time.

Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) narrowly secured a position in the fight for pole position tomorrow, with a top nine finish on Friday. Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) is still working through his new issues with his Italian machine and, despite a moment at turn three, he ended in the top 10 and will go straight into Superpole 2.

Just missing out on a spot in the all important second Superpole session, meaning they will fight for the top two spaces in Superpole 1 was Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia), with a time of 1.34.554. He sits just above Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) and Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) who continue to work through frustrations aboard the CBR1000RR SP2.

In a similar turn of events to the opening day at round one in Phillip Island two weeks ago, Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was unable to head out in FP1 with a mechanical problem. However the afternoon session saw the Brit continue with his difficulties, putting in 16 laps and finishing in 14th position.

Friday’s World Supersport action at the Motul Thai Round in the heat of the Chang International Circuit saw Kyle Smith (GEMAR Team Lorini) complete the day as the top man thanks to a 1m38.259s lap-time. Local wildcard Decha Kraisart (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) also dealt well with the conditions as he impressively lapped second quickest.

Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team), Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) and PJ Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) were all in the top five. Of the Aussies, Aiden Wagner (Team Lorini Honda) was 15th fastest, followed by Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) in 23rd.