With a best of 1’33.788, Puccetti rider and 4-time WorldSSP Champion Sofuoglu ruled the timesheets once again in FP1, but recovering rival Jules Cluzel improved towards the end of the session to close the gap to only 2 tenths. The 2016 season looks set to see the two rivals go head to head once again, with the MV Agusta rider having closed in after struggling in the first preseason tests.

Ex-Moto2 rider and WorldSSP rookie Randy Krummenacher was third fastest, maintaining his impressive pace in the WorldSBK paddock after testing saw him take the fight to his teammate: Kenan Sofuoglu.

Towards the end of the session, key protagonist of last season PJ Jacobsen had a spectacular slide through Turn 3 - Stoner Corner – before getting a little out of shape in the braking zone for Turn 4. That left him running down the escape road to rejoin, before Stefan Hill crashed in the final part of the session without consequence.

With weather improved slightly from the earlier damp of the WorldSBK session, the Superbike riders will be hoping it remains that way when they get back on track for their second session.