Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) applied the pressure to reigning Champion Tom Sykes after FP2 at the Losail International circuit, the Frenchman finishing 3rd on combined times almost a second ahead of the reigning champion.

Guintoli who was at the sharp end in the FP1 earlier this evening, displaced early pace setter Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) 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 4th overall.

It was however outgoing Voltcom Crescent Suzuki rider Eugene Laverty that saved his best till 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 2nd 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 8th, 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 manage 9th 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 will be hoping for better luck in the day’s final FP3,  as he is currently 16th overall on the timesheet.

Claudio Corti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) currently holds the final Tissot-Superpole progression place in 20th as behind him both Team Hero EBR riders continued their positive Qatari weekend with Geoff May 21st and Aaron Yates 22nd.

Alex Cudlin (Team Pedercini) crashed at turn 7 without injury, the Australian making his WSBK debut sits 14th overall despite the mishap.