GRT Yamaha’s Federico Caricasulo headed a tight field in the opening World Supersport practice session at Imola, with CIA Landlords Honda’s Jules Cluzel just under a tenth behind.
Thailand race winner Caricasulo spent a good chunk of the opening hour-long session leading the way on his YZF-R6, though a late surge in the closing stages saw him shuffled back to fourth fastest.
Not content with this, the Italian put in a final effort of 1m52.102s to go top of the pile by just 0.092s from Cluzel, who will be out to add to his 2017 podium tally started in Assen at a circuit he has finished second at for the past two seasons.
Reigning world champion Kenan Sofuoglu stamped his authority last time out in the Netherlands, his first win of the season putting him 40 points adrift in ninth in the standings. A triple winner at Imola in WorldSSP, the Puccetti rider looks good to add to his haul after ending FP1 third fastest.
Championship leader Lucas Mahias was fourth quickest on the sister GRT Yamaha, with Kallio Racing’s Sheridan Morais once again impressing in fifth spot on the previous version of the R6.
MV Agusta’s PJ Jacobsen languished outside of the top 10 for much of the opening free practice session, but wound up his pace in the final minutes to leap up to sixth spot ahead of Christian Gamarino and Kyle Smith, who spent much of the opening half of FP1 in the pits.
Alessandro Zaccone was ninth on the second MV, with Roberto Rolfo sneaking into the top 10 at the chequered flag on his Team Factory VAMAG MV F3 675.
Gino Rea just missed out on the top 10 in 11th, whilst Stefan Hill’s replacement at Profile Racing, British Supersport Championship rider Jack Kennedy, was an impressive 12th. Niki Tuuli, Loris Cresson and Michael Canducci completed the top 15.
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