Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) continued where he left Cremona last week by claiming P1 in Free Practice for the FIM Supersport World Championship field at MotorLand Aragon. The #62 was almost three tenths clear of title rival Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) after the Italian crashed at Turn 10 with around 10 minutes left in the opening session for the Tissot Aragon Round.

Manzi sits 50 points back, and in third in the standings, from Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) with three rounds to go and, while it’s a tall order, he’ll be hoping he can snatch this year’s title. He posted a 1’53.626s during the 40-minute session to claim P1 ahead of Turkish star Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), with just 0.021s separating the Yamaha and Kawasaki riders. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) moved into the top three with a 1’53.765s as three manufacturers were represented in the first three places.

Montella was able to claim P4 despite losing the final 10 minutes of running, with the #55 coming off his Panigale V2 at Turn 10. His 1’53.897s was around three tenths slower than Manzi’s time but he was a tenth clear of Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in fifth, with the German one of three MV Agusta riders in the top seven. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) was sixth despite an off-track excursion at Turn 16 while Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was seventh.

Simone Corsi (Renzi Corse) was the highest-placed WorldSSP Challenge rider in Free Practice as he claimed eighth place, finishing around 0.030s clear of Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) in ninth. The #99 also took to an escape road during the session, when he went wide under braking at Turn 12 in the closing stages. John McPhee (WRP by SKM-Triumph) rounded out the top ten in what was a closely contested session; 15 riders were separated by a second.

The top six from WorldSSP Free Practice, full results here:

1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 1’53.626s

2. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +0.021s

3. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.139s

4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.271s

5. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.398s

6. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +0.548s

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Source: WorldSBK.com