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Mahias heads WSS field after opening day sessions

Friday, 16 October 2015 19:55 GMT

    • Top 9 covered by a second as WSS finale begins.

    After topping FP1 earlier, Lucas Mahias (MG Competition) ended the opening day with the fastest WSS time, the French rider lapping the 5.380km Losail circuit in a time of 2.02.642s, just over a second shy of the circuit record of 2.01.586s set way back in 2009 by former WSS champion Cal Crutchlow.

    With all but two riders improving on FP1, the overall day 1 classification was decided on the times from the second 45 minute encounter.

    Behind Mahias who topped both sessions recently crowned World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 2nd ahead of Kyle Smith (Pata Honda World Supersport Team), who improved to 3rd with his final lap.

    PJ Jacobsen crashed his CORE Motorsport Thailand Honda in the final seconds of FP2 whilst on a potential P1 time. The American was uninjured and ended the day 4th ahead of Nico Terol, who was impressive in 5th on only his 3rd ride on the MV Agusta Reparto Corse entry, and Gino Rea (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda) 6th.

    Marco Faccani (San Carlo Puccetti Racing) had one of his strongest opening days of the year finishing a fine 7th ahead of Kevin Wahr (SMS Honda) and Roberto Rolfo (Team Lorini). The top 9 riders were split by a second. Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was 10th.

    Glenn Scott made the most of a full FP2 after missing the majority of the opening session after his AARK Racing Honda suffered a technical problem, he elevated himself to 14th.

    Abdulaziz Binladin became the first Saudi Arabian rider to take part in World Supersport competition. Riding a 3rd Kawasaki Puccetti Racing machine, he ended the opening day a respectable 17th overall on the combined classification.

    European Junior Cup regular Stefan Hill made his WSS debut with the CIA Landlords Insurance Honda team, improving by several seconds to move into the top 20 at the end of the opening day.

    FP3 will take place tomorrow at 1700 local time with the sole qualifying session due to start at 1945.

    All of the action from the WSS championship is tweeted as it happens – follow us: @WorldSBK