Pata Honda’s Michael Van Der Mark set the quickest time of 1’31.761 to head the first World Supersport free practice session at Donington Park.

The Dutchman knocked Mahi Racing’s Kenan Sofuoglu down to second and also edged CIA Insurance Honda’s Jack Kennedy and DMC Panavto-Yamaha’s Kev Coghlan off the provisional pole spot.

At the start of the session it was Coghlan who was the quickest rider out on track, with his fellow Celt, Kennedy in a close second. But after ten minutes Sofuoglu set the fastest time of the morning to top the timesheets with a 1’31.932.

Kawasaki Intermoto rider Florian Marino edged his way into second after 20 minutes with Kennedy rounding off the top three after a 1’32.321. The Frenchman did head up the timing-screens, but that only lasted mere seconds, as Sofuoglu bettered his time again to regain his provisional pole position.

With 17 minutes remaining there was a red flag after a crash from Yakhnich’s Vladimir Leonov which resulted in grass, mud and gravel being distributed onto the track at the Fogarty Esses.

When the session restarted Coghlan went back up to second after a 1’32.092, but that was not to last.  Van Der Mark put in a solid 1’31.761 to push Sofuoglu into second at the chequered flag, with Kennedy, Coghlan finishing the morning in third and fourth quickest respectively.

Marino, Yakhnich’s Jules Cluzel and Pata Honda’s Lorenzo Zanetti rounded off the top seven. Wild-card rider Anvil Hire TAG Racing’s Sam Hornsey ended the day 14th fastest with a 1’33.248, with fellow Englishman Com Plus Racing’s Fraser Rogers finishing the session 22nd quickest.