Three-time World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu has topped the opening day of World Supersport action at the 4.423km Jerez circuit after two closely fought 45-minute practice sessions.

Sofuoglu, who currently leads the championship standings lapped in 1.43.660s to head the field by 0.189s, his morning time setting the day’s best time. There was drama for the championship leader in the early minutes of FP2 however, as the Turkish rider collided with Kevin Wahr (SMS Honda) after just 6 minutes, the German closing the door on his rival without realising he was there. An unhappy Sofuoglu returned to the pits before making it back out for the final 30 minutes of the afternoon session.

Title contender Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), suffered a fast crash in the final seconds of the FP2, the MV Agusta rider going down at Turn 5. After being examined by the circuit doctors it appears that his title ambitions could be over as the diagnosis of an open fracture of the left tibia and a right shoulder dislocation means he is unfit to continue this weekend.

With none of the top 5 riders able to improve this afternoon the aforementioned Cluzel - now unfortunately ruled out of contention - and Gino Rea (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda) remained in second and third overall, with the returning Lucas Mahias (MG Competition Yamaha), Kyle Smith (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) and PJ Jacobsen (CORE Motorsport Thailand) completing the top 6.

Vladimir Leonov returns to the series with DMC Racing, the Russian who has stood on the podium in the past ended the opening day seventh despite suffering a technical problem in FP2.

Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), Alex Baldolini (Race Department ATK #25) and Marco Faccani (San Carlo Puccetti Racing) completed the top ten. Interestingly Jacobsen, Zanetti and Faccani were the only riders in the top ten to improve this afternoon.

The sole qualifying session for WSS takes place tomorrow at 15:55 local time although the riders will get one final practice session at 10:45.