Magny Cours WSS: van der Mark on top

After two WSS free practice sessions Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda) headed up the field on his Honda with a 1’41.744, with the surprise appearance of Roberto Tamburini (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Team Kawasaki) second and local French star Lucas Mahias (MG Competition) third on a Yamaha.

Florian Marino (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) was another local rider on the make in fourth quickest time, albeit 0.486 seconds from van der Mark.

British rider Kevin Coghlan (DMC Panavto-Yamaha Racing) was fifth fastest and – unusually – the top MV Agusta rider was not Jules Cluzel but Massimo Roccoli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in sixth place. Frenchman Cluzel was only 12th after falling in the afternoon session, then riding back to the pits.

Kenan Sofuoglu (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) placed seventh after two track outings and the top eight was completed by Irish rider Jack Kennedy (CIA Insurance Honda). Jack was unable to improve his morning time as he encountered a technical issue in the afternoon session.