The World Supersport championship resumes this weekend at the Sepang International circuit, Malaysia with Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) topping the opening day thanks to an FP1 lap time of 2.09.235. The Italian was just ahead of his team mate and title contender Jules Cluzel who heads into tomorrow 2^nd overall. The Frenchman only managed 3 laps this morning before a technical problem.

3^rd overall was American PJ Jacobsen (CORE Motorsport Thailand), who edged Pata Honda’s Kyle Smith, championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Roberto Rolfo (Lorini Honda) as the 19 riders familiarised themselves with the 5.543km circuit.

FP2 was wet following a downpour before the session meaning the overall times were unaffected. Nevertheless it’s worth casting a glance at the times in FP2 as the forecast for the next two days is similar, and with the race on Sunday due to start at a similar time as this afternoon’s session the results could be telling.

With 9 minutes to go, the sun came out and the rain stopped which saw the circuit drying quickly although it was still very much damp by the time the chequered flag was waved.

At the end of the 45 minutes it was PJ Jacobsen ahead by 1.6s, his wet weather time of 2.23.544s keeping him well ahead of Kenan Sofuoglu who recovered from an off track moment to finish 2^nd ahead of Kyle Smith, Jules Cluzel, Gino Rea (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda) and Martin Cardenas (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda). Lorenzo Zanetti remains fastest on combined times but the Italian could only manage 9^th overall in the damp.

A notable absentee from FP2 was Robert Rolfo (Lorini Honda) who remained in his box throughout as did his team mate Mark Ramirez.

The World Supersport riders have one further Free Practice session tomorrow at 10.45am local time before their sole qualifying session takes place at 3.55pm.