FP1 kick-started the penultimate round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship into life as the 28 riders took the track in warm and sunny conditions at Magny-Cours.

From the outset it was the main two protagonists in the title chase that headed the times with reigning Champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) ahead of local hero Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team).

As the session went on, and with the leading 14 riders having returned to the track after some mid-session tweaks to their machines the last 15 minutes provided some real excitement as firstly Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) then Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) and Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) closed the gap to the leading duo.

However as the chequered flag was waved at the end of the opening 45 minutes it was Guintoli who laid down the marker for the others to follow, the Frenchman overhauling Sykes with his final push aboard his Aprilia Racing machine. Sykes clung onto P2 with Melandri, Haslam, Moto GP bound Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) and Giugliano rounding out the top 6.

The 3C Ducati squad are here in force, Max Neukirchner was their lead rider in 12th ahead of the newly crowned IDM Champion Xavi Fores (13th) and Lorenzo Lanzi (16th).

Davd Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team) was the best classified EVO rider in 14th with Fabien Foret (Team Pedercini) competing in his final WSBK outing this weekend ending the opening session in 21st position.