SSP | Prosecco DOC UK Round, Free Practice: Caricasulo closes in the lead

At the end of the two free practice sessions of the Prosecco DOC UK Round, which is taking place at Donington, the five riders who currently lead the Superport World Championship standings are still in command: Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) set the best time of the day, leaping ahead of teammate Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) and Jules Cluzel (NRT).

The Italian took the lead with a reduced advantage: 19 thousandths over Mahias and 28 thousandths over the other Frenchman. The ranking changed continuously in the last minute, the top riders constantly improving their times after the rain had affected the morning's performances.

The fourth time goes to Sandro Cortese (Kallio Racing), who finished ahead of the classification leader Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP team), who remained further behind, four tenths separating him from the top at Donington.

Sixth, one second behind Caricasulo, is Raffaele De Rossa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag), who promises to reduce the gap with the leaders this weekend, perhaps with a third consecutive podium. His teammate Ayrton Badovini (MV Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag) follows him in seventh.

Home riders Andrew Irwin (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) and Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing) finished Friday in eighth and tenth place respectively. Sandwiched between the two is Sheridan Morais (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who will replace WorldSSP legend Kenan Sofuoglu for the remainder of the season. These are the riders who will have direct access to tomorrow's Superpole 2.

Appointment at 15pm tomorrow with the Tissot-Superpole.

Below is the ranking of the times recorded at the end of the two free practice sessions of the Prosecco DOC UK Round, at Donington Park:

1. Federico Caricasulo ITA GRT Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 31.587s
2. Lucas Mahias FRA GRT Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 31.606s
3. Jules Cluzel FRA NRT Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 31.615s
4. Sandro Cortese GER Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 31.928s
5. Randy Krummenacher SUI Bardahl Evan Bros. Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 32.054s
6. Raffaelle De Rosa ITA MV Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag F4 RC 1m 32.617s
7. Ayrton Badovini ITA MV Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag F4 RC 1m 32.731s
8. Andrew Irwin GBR CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 33.025s
9. Sheridan Morais POR Puccetti Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 33.058s
10. Luke Stapleford GBR Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675 1m 33.124s
11. Loris Cresson BEL Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 33.497s
12. Rob Hartog NED Team Hartog Against Cancer Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 33.513s
13. Hikari Okubo JPN Puccetti Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 33.660s
14. Corentin Perolari FRA GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 33.735s
15. Anthony West AUS EAB antwest Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 33.840s
16. Stefan Hill GBR Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675 1m 34.448s
17. Thomas Gradinger AUT NRT Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 34.472s
18. Ryan Vickers FIN CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 34.624s
19. Michael Canducci ITA Team GoEleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 34.662s
20. Nacho Calero ESP Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawsaki ZX-6R 1m 35.126s
21. Hannes Soomer EST Racedays Honda CBR600RR 1m 35.434s
22. Alfonso Coppola ITA GRT Yamaha Junior Team YZF-R6 1m 36.117s
23. Wayne Tessels NED Chromeburner Wayne's Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 37.224s
24. Javier Ezepuiel Iturrioz ARG Team GoEleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 38.570s
25. Eemeli Lahti FIN Sterkman Motorsport by HRP Suzuki GSX-R600 1m 38.296s
26. Jaimie van Sikkelerus NED Gemar Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1m 51.402s
27. Kyle Smith GBR Gemar Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1m 47.951s*

Best lap time taken from FP1