Barni Ducati’s Xavi Fores topped the opening World Superbike free practice session at Jerez this morning but had to fend off a charge from former MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden.
Fores set a 1’42.008 depose Honda’s Hayden from the number one spot and did so by just 0.065s but the pair are some way off Jonathan Rea’s lap record of 1’41.136 set in race one last year.
However, as well as holding top spot, Fores has emerged with good race pace, setting 10 laps in the 1'42s bracket, a rhythm only matched by Rea.
Aruba Ducati’s Chaz Davies ended in third place and a quarter of a second off the pace while Jordi Torres was just behind in fourth on a 1’42.356 to stay ahead of Alex Lowes’ Pata Yamaha.
Michael Van Der Mark, on the sister Fireblade, finished in sixth one, one ahead of reigning champion Rea, who set the early pace. The works Kawasaki man is just shy of half a second in arrears.
Leon Camier bounced his MV Agusta into the tyre wall at turn eight but was unhurt and his 1’42.488 was enough to secure eighth place ahead of the returning Anthony West.
Tom Sykes completed the top ten just ahead of Markus Reiterberger, who was also a faller but again unhurt. Roman Ramos, Davide Giugliano and Sylvain Guintoli finished up the top 15 with reigning BSB champion Josh Brookes in 17th, just behind Lorenzo Savadori.
