Magny Cours WSB: Guintoli heads Sykes in first session

Sylvain Guintoli got his home round in Magny Cours off to a positive start by topping the time-sheets in the opening Free Practice session.

The factory Aprilia rider is fighting to keep his world championship hopes alive with the Frenchman currently trailing Britain’s Tom Sykes by 31 points with two rounds to go.

Sykes finished the opening session in second place having led early on. In 2013 the 29-year-old dominated both races at the French circuit and will be looking for a repeat performance this weekend in order to secure the title.

In form Italian Marco Melandri, who won both races last time out in Jerez, set the third fastest time of the session to finish ahead of an impressive Leon Haslam in fourth and Eugene Laverty in fifth.

1 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’38.366
2 1 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’38.652
3 33 M. MELANDRI ITA Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’38.984
4 91 L. HASLAM GBR PATA Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.047
5 58 E. LAVERTY IRL Voltcom Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’39.054
6 34 D. GIUGLIANO ITA Ducati Superbike Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’39.107
7 22 A. LOWES GBR Voltcom Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’39.316
8 65 J. REA GBR PATA Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.642
9 76 L. BAZ FRA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’39.676
10 24 T. ELIAS ESP Red Devils Roma Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’39.763
11 7 C. DAVIES GBR Ducati Superbike Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’39.842
12 27 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER 3C Racing Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’39.994
13 212 X. FORES ESP 3C Racing Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’40.122
14 44 D. SALOM ESP Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO 1’40.460
15 59 N. CANEPA ITA Althea Racing Ducati 1199 Panigale R EVO 1’40.480
16 57 L. LANZI ITA 3C Racing Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’40.880
17 71 C. CORTI ITA MV Agusta Reparto Corse MV Agusta F4 RR 1’40.924
18 32 S. MORAIS RSA IRON BRAIN Grillini Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO 1’41.189
19 11 J. GUARNONI FRA MRS Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO 1’41.303
20 52 S. BARRIER FRA BMW Motorrad Italia SBK BMW S1000 RR EVO 1’41.337
21 9 F. FORET FRA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO 1’41.496
22 16 G. RIZMAYER HUN BMW Team Toth BMW S1000 RR EVO 1’43.023
23 67 B. STARING AUS IRON BRAIN Grillini Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO 1’43.126
24 99 G. MAY USA Team Hero EBR EBR 1190 RX 1’43.336
25 21 A. ANDREOZZI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO 1’43.415
26 10 I. TOTH HUN BMW Team Toth BMW S1000 RR 1’43.623
27 20 A. YATES USA Team Hero EBR EBR 1190 RX 1’44.511
28 74 N. SALCHAUD FRA Dream Team Company MV Agusta F4 RR 1’45.484