The 2024 FIM Supersport World Championship riders were back in action at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours on Friday morning with Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) leading the way in Free Practice as he set a best time of 1’40.569s at the end of the session. That lap put Manzi 0.041s ahead of standings leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) who was second in the FP outing at the Motul French Round.
A technical issue for Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) with 25 minutes remaining saw the red flags come out and the session was briefly interrupted. Schroetter pulled off track and waited for assistance after becoming aware of the problem which had seen smoke pouring from his MV Agusta F3 800 RR.
Huertas’ title rival Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) suffered a heavy crash at Turn 9 with 15 minutes of the session to go, but he was able to remount his Ducati Panigale V2 and quickly return to pit lane. Double Portimao winner Montella finished the practice in fifth place, just over half a second down on Manzi.
The opening session at Round 8 of the season for the World Supersport riders concluded with Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) in third place, 0.292s back and in-form Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) in fourth, 0.361s adrift of P1, as he looks to build on his recent run of four top-six finishes in a row.
Frenchman Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) was sixth quickest, with Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph), French wildcard Corentin Perolari (CBO Racing Honda France), Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and another home rider Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) completing the top ten.
The top six from WorldSSP Free Practice, full results here:
1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) 1’40.569s
2. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.041s
3. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.292s
4. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +0.361s
5. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.542s
6. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha)
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Source: WorldSBK.com