SBK, FP2: Super Savadori leads the way with his Aprilia

Hats off to time! Lorenzo Savadori is the star of the second Superbike timed practice. Yes, you heard right! Just seconds from the end of the sesson, with Hayden leading the way, the Ioda rider got the best of the American to finish first. The Italian was the only rider to duck under 2’04, stopping the clock on 2’03”951, a second and a half quicker than Sykes' best time of the morning. At just 22, in his debut SBK season, it is the first time that Savadori has finished a session at the top of the timesheets.    

Nicky Hayden therefore had to settle for second once more (+0.216). While in the morning's session it was the two Kawasakis to pass him, this afternoon it was the Stock champion who relegated the Kentucky rider to second place, ahead of Markus Reiterberger (+0.288) by just 0.072. This is the German's first visit to the Malaysian circuit but the Althea rider has already proved to have great feeling with the track, closing so close to the front. Behind him the only Pata Yamaha present at Sepang, ridden by Sam Lowes (+0.311), while Guintoli sits out due to injury.

After an FP1 in the shadows, the Ducatis have finally picked up. The positive note for them today was Davide Giugliano (+0.344), who moved up into fifth position, with Torres' BMW behind him. There was also improvement for the Panigale of Chaz Davies, the winner at Imola, though he is still more than half a second from the front. The Brit closed eighth (+0.527), right behind the Honda of Dutchman van der Mark (+0.434).   

Ninth for West (+0.792), debuting with Team Pedercini. The factory Kawasakis have fallen further back. Rea had to make do with tenth place, 0.004 slower than the Australian, while Sykes, the fastest rider in session one, was 0.001 behind his teammate. Just behind him, Alex De Angelis and Scassa.