WorldSBK rookie Lorenzo Savadori was the quickest rider in the first two sessions at Sepang International Circuit, with the Italian rider putting in a last lap dash to go quickest ahead of Honda rider Nicky Hayden. Savadori, who has been gaining confidence throughout his rookie season, managed a gap of 0.216 above Sepang veteran but fellow WorldSBK rookie Nicky Hayden.

Markus Reiterberger was another quick rookie on Day 1, with the Althea BMW rider coming home in P3 ahead of Yamaha’s Alex Lowes. Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider Davide Giugliano was the fastest Ducati on Day 1 in P5, ahead of second Althea BMW rider Jordi Torres. Dutch Honda rider Michael van der Mark was seventh fastest on the opening day, ahead of Imola double winner and second Aruba.it rider Chaz Davies.

Anthony West, riding for Pedercini as replacement for injured Sylvain Barrier, was ninth after FP2 and consequently graduates straight through to Tissot-Superpole 2 in an incredibly impressive first contact with both the bike and newly resurfaced track. The Australian rider edged out reigning Champion Jonathan Rea.

Rea, who was second fastest in the morning, just made it through to Superpole 2 in P10, edging out teammate Tom Sykes for the last place in the top ten. Rea spent the morning circulating in a similar place on the timesheets until a last lap push saw him move up to P2.

Sykes, who had been fastest in the morning, is the big name sent through Superpole 1. The Yorkshireman has a fantastic qualifying record at Sepang International Circuit however, and could even benefit from the extra track time afforded by Superpole 1 as riders get to grips with the new asphalt in Malaysia.

FP3 begins on Saturday at 10:45 local time (GMT +8), before Tissot-Superpole at 13:30 ahead of Race 1 at 16:00.