Sebastien Charpentier on World Supersport pole at Magny Cours

Sebastian Charpentier showed his pace a round his home track to set a blistering 1m 42.617 second lap around the Magny Cours circuit nearly half a second faster than his closest rival. Charpentier has good form at the French track having set pole for last years race and currently holds the Supersport lap record, but in recent races although he has been fast he has struggled with tyre wear and dropped off the pace.

Charpentier said: “We’ve changed a lot with the set up of the bike this weekend and now it is completely different compared few races ago. Today I’ve done many laps on one tyre to work on full race distance and I had a good rhythm. With a few minutes to go I came into the pits, changed the tyre and was able to go out and do one fast lap.”

Second spot went to Broc Parkes onboard his factory Yamaha. Parkes has been on top form having won two out of the last three races and is well placed to give the two Ten Kate riders some serious competition this weekend. Last time out at Vallelunga, Yamaha didn’t have their usual front tyre available which saw Parkes down in fourth spot, but for this weekend they have their preferred choice.

Kenan Sofuoglu had to settle for third spot after setting the pace in this mornings free practice session.

Italian Yamaha man Gianluca Vizziello continued his good form from Vallelunga to post the fourth fastest time with fellow Yamaha man Massimo Roccoli in fifth.

Tommy Hill ended his first qualifying session in ninth place with Craig Jones in 13th.