Reigning World Champion Tom Sykes improved his morning session time but the Kawasaki Racing Team rider was edged out by Jonathan Rea (PATA Honda World Superbike Team) who ensured that his last lap of the day would keep him at the top of the standings.

Sykes was therefore 2nd ahead of Aragon wizard Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) who moved up to 3rd. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team), Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) and Aprilia’s Marco Melandri completed the top 6.

Championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) was 7th with round one winner Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) improving in the last five minutes to elevate himself to 8th. His new team mate Alex Lowes continued to adapt to the Spanish track eventually finishing in 11th.

In the EVO category Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) held on to tenth position despite a late crash. Local rider David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team) ended the day as the 3rd placed EVO rider in 14th just behind the returning Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia).

The other Spaniard in the field Toni Elias had a difficult day, the Red Devils Aprilia only managing 12th position.

Bimota on the other hand had an encouraging start to their return to superbike competition with Ayrton Badvoini and Christian Iddon finishing in 17th and 21st.

There is one more free practice session tomorrow morning which gives the riders currently placed 21st and below the chance to make the grid deciding Tissot-Superpole.