PTR Honda's Sam Lowes topped the World Supersport timesheet today at the Moscow test but w was pushed hard by team-mate and former Moto2 race Jules Cluzel, who was less than half-a-tenth slower than the Linconshire twin.
Lowes was second to the Frenchman in the opening session but upped his pace in the afternoon, setting a 1'38.548 - which was only a second slower than Loris Baz on the works Kawasaki, while Cluzel rattled in a 1'38.596. The pair were chased by Broc Parkes and Kenan Sofuoglu while title challenger Fabien Foret got off the floor to finish seventh.
"We learned a lot and I enjoyed it. The first thing was to learn the track as it's a completely new one. In the second session I knew it well enough to work a bit on a few things and it was just nice to do some work without the pressure of the race weekend. Overall it's been a really good day and I can't wait for the weekend now," said Lowes.
"The track is very technical and the first part is quite tight but then it opens up and is quite fast in the second half. There's a lot of up and downs, direction and camber changes, so it's a very nice track. I can tell already that the racing will be tight, close and exciting on Sunday. We have four races to go and it's a very important part of the Championship so I know I need to go out and do the best job I can. Our aim is to challenge for the title and we'll do our best."
MSD N-G Kawasaki's Dan Linfoot came in 15th place and a little under two seconds in arrears while Martin Jessopp was 25th.
