Doha: The first session of free practice at the Losail International Circuit was headed by Pata Honda World Superbike Team rider Jonathan Rea after an enthralling 45-minute session, held under the circuit’s impressive floodlight system for the first time in World Superbike Championship (WSBK) history yesterday.
The session, used by many as a familiarisation exercise, saw lap times tumble throughout with riders less than two seconds from the outright circuit best lap of 1.57.280 set in 2009 by Ben Spies.
Rea, who moved back to the top spot in the final 90 seconds of the session held of Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and fellow circuit rookie Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) who completed the top three.
The session started with all riders keen to make the most of the track time available as both Rea and Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) each took a turn to head the times.
Alex Lowes took over proceedings after 10 minutes, the British rider looking comfortable and fast aboard his Voltcom Crescent Suzuki.
By half distance, championship rivals Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) had moved into contention, as had Toni Elias (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) before almost all of the riders improved in the final minutes, as was expected.
Behind the top three, Sylvain Guintoli was fourth ahead of Eugene Laverty, making his final appearance for Voltcom Crescent Suzuki, and Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team). Toni Elias dropped to seventh while reigning champ and current championship leader Tom Sykes could only manage ninth at the flag.
In the EVO category, the accolade of being the best classified rider went to Italian Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) who ended the first free practice in a credible eight overall.
Four-time time Qatar SuperBike Champion and WSBK debutant Alex Cudlin finished his first ever session for Pedercini Kawasaki in 14th overall.
There was positive news from the Team Hero EBR pit as Geoff May edged his team-mate Aaron Yates, the pair finishing in 20th and 21st overall with Geoff currently holding the final Superpole position.
In the second free practice session, Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) applied pressure on reigning WSBK champion Tom Sykes and the Frenchman finished third on combined times, almost a second ahead of the reigning champion.
Guintoli, who was at the sharp end in the first free practice earlier, displaced early pace-setter Rea in the first part of the second 45-minute session shortly before the Honda rider stopped with a technical problem at Turn 1.
The number 65 rider was able to return to the track for the final 16 minutes after some swift work by his crew, immediately lapping faster and ending the session fourth overall.
It was, however, outgoing Voltcom Crescent Suzuki rider Eugene Laverty that saved his best for last with the fastest lap of the weekend so far of 1.58.449, moving the Irishman to the top of the standings.
Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) was clearly happy with the between-session changes made to his Panigale as he leapt to second overall ahead of Guintoli, Rea, Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Loris Baz who was once again the top Kawasaki Racing Team rider.
Niccolo Canepa was once again the best classified EVO rider in eighth, the Italian looking confident in what will be his last racing weekend for the Althea Racing Ducati Team.
Defending champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) was 1.393s behind Laverty and could only manage ninth spot, ahead of Marco Melandri who looked less than happy with things on his Aprilia Racing Team machine.
Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) failed to set a time after suffering a technical problem, the Italian was hoping for better luck in the day’s final free practice, as he was 16th overall on the timesheet.
Cudlin (Team Pedercini) crashed at turn seven without injury, the Australian making his WSBK debut, sits 14th overall despite the mishap.
THE PENINSULA
