The first 45 minute Free Practice session at Laguna Seca was topped by championship leader Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) as the protagonists competing for the WorldSBK crown took to the track in the USA. Rea’s time of 1.24.239s put him 0.145s ahead of his team mate and former champ Tom Sykes who steadily improved throughout the session, to take 2^nd.

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) was a solid 3^rd after holding the top spot until the final ten minutes.

Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing) was clearly happy to be back in California powering his Panigale to a credible 4^th position, the Italian ran at the front throughout the session.

The 3^rd Ducati in the top 5 was Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team), the Italian finished a fraction of a second ahead of compatriot Ayrton Badovini who had a strong start to the weekend in 6th. The Italian suffered a technical problem with 18 minutes to go causing a red flag as the marshals retrieved his stricken BMW Motorrad Italia machine from the start and finish straight where it had stopped.

Reigning World Champion Sylvain Guintoli had a positive start to the day aboard his Pata Honda grabbing 7^th ahead of Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), and the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki pairing of Randy de Puniet and Alex Lowes.

This year sees a number of riders making their debut at the 3.6km venue, the leading Laguna rookie being Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) who completed FP1 just over a second from the fastest time in 11^th.

David Salom (Team Pedercini), Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Roman Ramos (Team Go Eleven).

FP2 is scheduled to take part at 1500 local time.