The reigning French World Champion clearly demonstrated his ambitions on this first day of free practice by setting the best time. He preceded the Swiss Randy Krummenacher, also on Yamaha.
They were ahead of the other R6 Sandra Cortese, defector from Moto2, and the Kawasaki of Kenan Sofuoglu. The teammate of Lucas Mahias, the Italian Federico Caricasulo, ranked in fifth position.
The two other French riders present should be able to improve their performances during the weekend, notably Jules Cluzel (now on Yamaha) eighth, but especially Mike di Meglio only eighteenth.
According to Mike di Meglio “ The bike was awesome to ride in the rain. I loved it. On the other hand, I realize that the engine lacks extension compared to the other Yamaha R6s. We understand our challenge and we now know where we will have to progress. Looking forward to tomorrow. If it rains, I feel capable of doing beautiful things. And if it doesn't rain, I'll give everything to get back on the starting grid! »
Pour Christophe Guyot “Nous espérions mieux pour débuter mais c’est la course. Le plus ennuyeux n’est pas cette panne de shifter qui s’est invitée au plus mauvais moment. Tout est réglé de ce côté là et nous espérons pouvoir nous racheter demain lors de la superpole. Nous sommes partis avec une configuration moteur prudente et certainement trop sage puisque nous sommes crédités d’une médiocre vitesse de pointe. Nous devrons progresser sur ce point dès notre retour en Europe."
Results of the first two Supersport free practice sessions combined:
Here are the links to follow Lucas Mahias, Jules cluzel, Mike Di Meglio, GMT 94
In Superbike, Lorenzo Savadori dominated the first day of free practice on his Aprilia, ahead of Leon Camier on Honda and Eugene Laverty on Aprilia, followed by the Kawasaki of Tom Sykes and Johnny Rea. Loris Baz, victim of a broken handlebar, fell (without fracture) but was only able to finish sixteenth.
For Loris, “ The first session in the wet went rather well. I was among the top ten for a long time while regaining my bearings on the Pirellis in these conditions. I tried to put on a mixed tire at the end of the session, but it was interrupted by a red flag. Despite everything, I remain convinced that it was the right choice. In the dry, it didn't take me long to get into the rhythm. I was improving my time from practice on Monday and Tuesday when Alex Lowes made a mistake right in front of me. I still managed to set a time of 1'32.3, although hampered by the traffic. The next lap, I had a good start, but I lost half a handlebar at turn 4. I fell while going over the bike. It's a real shame, because it's a stupid fall, the simple consequence of a defective part. I tried to ride in the afternoon, but I was in too much pain. I preferred to stop in order to rest while waiting for tomorrow. I have pain on right-hand curves as well as heavy braking. Overtaking in the first race will therefore be tricky, but I will do my best. This is obviously not how I hoped to start the season. We had done everything we needed to do over the winter...and I'm off on the wrong foot. My pace being fast, we will still try to score as many points as possible. The forecast is for rain, this would help me feel less pain on the bike and move up the rankings more easily. »
The link to follow Loris Baz.
Results of the first three Superbike free practice sessions combined:
Saturday times (French time):
23 40 WorldSBK – FP00
00:10 00:30 WorldSSP – FP3
02 30 WorldSBK – SP02
02 55 WorldSBK – SP03
03:30 p.m. 03:45 p.m. WorldSSP – SP1
03:55 p.m. 04:10 p.m. WorldSSP – SP2
05:00 p.m. WorldSBK – Race 1
Sunday times (French time):
00:05 00:20WorldSSP – WUP
00:30 00:45WorldSBK – WUP
03:30 WorldSSP – Race
05:00 p.m. WorldSBK – Race 2
Photos © worldsbk.com / Dorna, Yamaha, Honda
