Pata Honda’s Sylvain Guintoli hasn’t had the best of starts to World Superbike testing at Jerez, crashing on just his third lap of the Spanish track with a trip to the medical centre.

The reigning world champion went down at turn one before spending an hour under the supervision of medical staff. Fortunatelty the crash resulted in nothing worse than a siore ankle and neck. A team spokesman told bikesportnews.com it was unlikely the Frenchman would ride again today.

Former World Champ Tom Sykes led the timesheets at lunchtime with a 1’41.400. The track temperature is a brisk 15°C so no records will be set today. Chaz Davies sits in second place, a tenth behind with Jonathan Rea, on the second Kawasaki, three tenths off his team-mate.