Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Kenan Sofuoglu has topped the first practice session at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, leading WorldSSP rival Jules Cluzel on the MV Agusta by 0-380 seconds.

Honda rider PJ Jacobsen, after a difficult two Rounds in Europe thus far, kept his record of good pace in 2016 by setting the third fastest lap, ahead of Jules Cluzel’s MV Agusta teammate Lorenzo Zanetti in P4. Zanetti was the fastest home rider, with the added honour of riding an Italian bike, as compatriots Baldolini, Gamarino and Badovini joined him in the top ten in P6, P7 and P8 respectively.

GRT rider Gino Rea completed the top 5 on his MV Agusta, with the Assen podium sitter this time getting the edge over compatriot Kyle Smith, who was the second fastest Brit in P9. Ondrej Jezek locked out the top ten in P10, with the Team GOELEVEN rider bringing his Kawasaki home just ahead of Championship leader Randy Krummenacher.

Rookie Krummenacher ended FP1 in P11 after his first contact with the Imola circuit, and the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider will be looking to keep improving his knowledge of both the track and bike as he looks to defend his Championship lead from teammate Sofuoglu.

Axel Bassani was the fastest FIM Europe Supersport Cup rider in P16, just ahead of fellow ESS rider Alessandro Zaccone from San Carlo Team Italia.

WorldSSP will be back on track again for FP2 at Imola as entry to Tissot-Superpole 2 is decided by the end of the second session on Friday.