Aruba.it Racing –Ducati rider Davide Giugliano has topped FP1 at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, with the home rider putting in a lap nearing the end of the session to top the sheets from Honda World Superbike Team rider Nicky Hayden. Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes was third fastest, after having led much of the session.

With Friday Practice sessions now ruling entry into Tissot-Superpole 2, FP1 is more than simply the first taste of the asphalt for many on the grid and after a recent test at the circuit for a number of front-running teams, it wasn’t a case of starting from zero after a year away from the Adriatic. Hitting the ground running is the Friday aim of every team and rider, and FP1 at Misano was first topped by Aruba.it Racing pairing Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano, before Tom Sykes took over for Kawasaki. The Yorkshireman then lost the throne temporarily to Barni Racing’s Xavi Forés, before factory Ducati Davide Giugliano put in his fastest effort of the session and remained unchallenged.

Forés ended FP1 in P4, ahead of reigning Champion Jonathan Rea in P5 and Althea BMW rookie Markus Reiterberger in P6. Ducati flag bearer Chaz Davies ended the first session of the team’s second home Round of the year in P7, ahead of fastest Yamaha Alex Lowes, who continues his recovery from a crash in Race 2 in Sepang.

Honda’s Michael van der Mark finished FP1 in ninth fastest as the flying Dutchman continues to work on getting his feeling from earlier in the season back, ahead of IodaRacing rider Lorenzo Savadori, who rounded out the top ten for Aprilia.

FP2 gets underway at 13:30 local time (GMT +2), for entry to Superpole 2 to be decided.