Bardahl Yamaha’s Andrea Locatelli dominated the day’s WorldSSP running after two free practice sessions with the class rookie’s time of 1’54.308 this afternoon enough to top the timesheets.
Locatelli was not the only rider to improve in the second practice session with Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) also making a step forward in terms of lap time as he finished second overall, but almost seven tenths down on Locatelli’s time.
The Frenchman will be hoping he can challenge Locatelli in Tissot Superpole and both races as he did in the early stages of racing in Portimao. Cluzel’s teammate, Corentin Perolari, finished the day in nth place…
Hannes Soomer’s (Kallio Racing) continued to show impressive pace on Friday and finished the day classified in third place; his time of 1’55.149 from Free Practice 1 enough to be third overall. Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) also showed strong pace with fifth overall as the team look to mount a challenge at the top of the field.
Raffaele de Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was the sole MV representative in the top 10 with his time of 1’55.774, the Italian looking to continue his form after picking up his first podium of the season in Portimao. In sixth and seventh overall were Kawasaki Puccetti Racing duo Lucas Mahias and Philipp Oettl; just within a second of Locatelli’s pace.
Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) finished in eighth after both practice sessions with Hikari Okubo (Dynavolt Honda) the top ten as the fastest Honda rider on the grid. Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing) finished in 11th overall for the day with Hungarian rider Peter Sebestyen (OXXO Yamaha Team Toth) in 12th.
Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) was 13th after Friday running with Alejandro Carranza Ruiz (EMPERADOR Racing Team) in 14th place; as the highest place WorldSSP Challenge rider, finishing just ahead of Axel Bassani (Soradis Yamaha Motoxracing) Turkish sensation Can Öncü (Turkish Racing Team) completing the top 15 with Loris Cresson (OXXO Yamaha Team Toth) finished the day in 22nd place.
Second practice top ten top speeds
1 5 P. OETTL Kawasaki ZX-6R 274,1
2 99 D. WEBB Yamaha YZF R6 272,7
3 43 S. VALTULINI Kawasaki ZX-6R 271,4
4 55 A. LOCATELLI Yamaha YZF R6 270,0
5 4 S. ODENDAAL Yamaha YZF R6 269,3
6 81 M. GONZALEZ Kawasaki ZX-6R 269,3
7 38 H. SOOMER Yamaha YZF R6 268,0
8 16 J. CLUZEL Yamaha YZF R6 267,3
9 47 A. BASSANI Yamaha YZF R6 266,7
10 3 R. DE ROSA MV Agusta F3 675 266,7
