WorldSBK rookie Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing Team) gave a glimpse of what could come ahead of the weekend’s races, by topping the timesheets on Friday afternoon at the Pirelli German Round. Local hero and Althea BMW Racing Team rider Markus Reiterberger made a solid comeback from injury to come home in second position, while Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes put in a strong lap to round out the top three.

Lausitzring proved to be a challenge for the field in both FP1 and FP2 with riders falling victim to notorious turns 6 and 12. The session was red-flagged with 21 minutes to go because of debris left on the track after Josh Brookes slid out at speed on turn 12, damaging his Milwaukee BMW. Thankfully the Australian was able to walk away unscathed.

Meanwhile, Aruba.it Racing-Ducati’s Chaz Davies stayed consistent during the session to come home in fourth ahead of Kentucky Kid Nicky Hayden in fifth, for the Honda World Superbike team. Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team’s Sylvain Guintoli indicated he’s back in action after finishing in sixth position and comfortably graduating to Tissot-Superpole 2.

Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) once again proved to be a solid contender ahead of the weekends races by leading for most of the session in the combined times, before being knocked out of the top spot to finally come home in seventh.

Recently turned 26 year old Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) was an early victim of the bumps at turn 6, having suffered a crash midway through the session but but still finished eighth in the combined standings. MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider Leon Camier-one of the only riders who didn’t test at the Lausitzring over the summer- brought his MV Agusta home in ninth proving that rider talent will play a big role in qualifying and the races at the new circuit. Honda World Superbike Team’s Michael van der Mark put in a solid effort to round out the top ten and automatically graduate to Tissot-Superpole 2 on Saturday morning.

Reigning Champion Jonathan Rea struggled throughout the session and was knocked out of the top ten to finish in 11^th. This is the first time the Northern Irishman has finished Friday outside of the top ten this season.

The top ten will be back in action on Saturday morning at 10:30 local time (GMT+2) for the Tissot-Superpole 2 shoot out.