WSB Moscow FP1 – Melandri sets the pace in opening session

BMW GoldBet rider Marco Melandri started his World Superbike weekend at the Moscow Raceway in the best possible way by setting the fastest time in the opening Free Practice session.

The 30 year old posted a best lap of 1.36.101 as he sets out to improve on his two fourth place finishes at Imola last time out.

Second spot went to fast Italian David Guigliano onboard his Althea Racing Aprilia finishing ahead of championship leader Tom Sykes.

It was also a strong start for Carlos Checa and the Ducati 1199 R Panigale who set the fourth fastest time.

Chaz Davies secured 7th, Eugene Laverty was 8th with Jonathan Rea 10th, Leon Camier 11th and Leon Haslam 12th.

Sylvain Guintoli, who is riding injured after dislocating his collarbone on Sunday finished the session in 13th place, 1.480 seconds off pole man Melandri.

Moscow – FIM Superbike World Championship – Free Practice

1. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) BMW S1000 RR 1’36.101
2. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’36.172
3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’36.467
4. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’36.539
5. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’36.724
6. Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’36.775
7. Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) BMW S1000 RR 1’36.937
8. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’36.943
9. Jules Cluzel (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’37.013
10. Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.190
11. Leon Camier (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’37.301
12. Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.328
13. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’37.581
14. Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’37.760
15. Max Neukirchner (MR-Racing) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’37.857
16. Federico Sandi (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’38.599
17. Lorenzo Savadori (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’39.983
18. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Grillini Dentalmatic SBK) BMW S1000 RR 1’40.818