Outgoing FIM Supersport World Championship star Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) started the Motul Argentinean Round by topping the timesheets at the Circuito San Juan Villicum as Free Practice 1 started action. The French rider, who is retiring at the end of the 2022 season, was less than a tenth quicker than his nearest rivals to claim first position in the first 45-minute session of the weekend, with Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) in second place.

Cluzel put in a late lap of 1’42.363s to go fastest in the 45-minute session, finishing just 0.094s ahead of Oncu in second place after the Turkish rider spent most of the session at the top of the session. It was a tight packed top three with Finnish rider Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in third place, just three tenths down on Cluzel’s lap time.

Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura WorldSSP) took fourth spot and was just under a tenth down on Tuuli in third spot, while Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) claimed fifth place. The two Ducati riders ensured four different manufacturers out of the five on the 2022 grid were represented in the top four. Hungary rider Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) took sixth spot, a tenth ahead of teammate Lorenzo Baldassarri in seventh.

Andy Verdoia (GMT94 Yamaha) took eighth spot, around one second down on teammate Cluzel, with reigning Champion and 2022 Championship leader Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) in ninth spot, two places down on his title rival. Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) rounded out the top ten, a tenth down on Aegerter.

The top six following WorldSSP FP1, full results here:

1. Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) 1’42.363s

2. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +0.094s

3. Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.261s

4. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura WorldSSP) +0.327s

5. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) +0.401s

6. Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +0.542s

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